Dietary Flavonoid Intake and Carotid Calcification in Patients with Ischemic Stroke

Owing to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, flavonoids can influence the initiation and development of atherosclerosis, but the underlying mechanisms remain largely undetermined. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between dietary flavonoids and carotid calcification in patients with ischemic stroke.

This study screened consecutive patients with ischemic stroke via Nanjing Stroke Registry Program from February 2016 to April 2021. A semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to evaluate dietary consumption of flavonoids and other nutritional components. Presence and degree of carotid calcification were determined according to Agatston scores on computer tomography angiography. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate the association between dietary flavonoids (total flavonoids, flavonols, flavones, flavanones, flavan-3-ols, anthocyanins, and isoflavones) and carotid calcification.

Of the 601 enrolled patients, 368 (61.2%) were detected with carotid calcification. Patients with high intake of total flavonoids (the fifth quintile) had a 52% lower carotid calcification risk than those with low intake (the first quintile; odds ratio [OR] = 0.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.26-0.90; p = 0.007 for trends) after adjusting for major confounders. Patients with high intake of flavan-3-ols (the fifth quintile) had a 51% lower carotid calcification risk than those with low intake (the first quintile; OR = 0.49; 95% CI, 0.25-0.97; p = 0.016 for trends).

Dietary flavonoid intake is associated with carotid calcification, and, therefore, may influence the risk of stroke occurrence and recurrence.