Prevalence and risk factors of intracranial and extracranial artery stenosis in asymptomatic rural residents of 13 villages in China

Abstract

BackgroundThe present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for extracranial carotid artery stenosis (ECAS) and intracranial carotid artery stenosis (ICAS) simultaneously in asymptomatic Chinese pure rural population.MethodsWe analyzed 2589 asymptomatic subjects aged over 30 yr. by ultrasonography and transcranial Doppler simultaneously in 13 isolated villages by door-to-door investigation. Both ECAS and ICAS were defined as more than 50% stenosis. Demographics, medical history documentation, and investigation of biochemical results were performed for each subject. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to assess the risk factors associated with ECAS and ICAS, respectively.ResultsOne hundred twenty-two (4.7%) residents with ICAS and 56 (2.2%) with ECAS were found in 2589 subjects. Three factors emerged as independent risk factors for ICAS: age (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01–1.04, odds ratio [OR] = 1.07), hypertension (95% CI = 1.98–4.37, OR = 2.94), and diabetes mellitus (95% CI = 1.72–4.38, OR = 2.75). As for ECAS, five factors presented as independent risk factors: age (95% CI = 1.09–1.11, OR = 1.10), male sex (95% CI = 1.01–1.02, OR = 1.01), diabetes mellitus (95% CI = 1.10–2.12, OR = 1.53), systolic blood pressure (95% CI = 1.95–2.88, OR = 2.37), and total cholesterol (95% CI = 1.00–1.13, OR = 1.06).ConclusionsICAS and ECAS were relatively common among asymptomatic rural Chinese subjects. Although they shared similar risk factors, differences still existed between them.

Prevalence and cardiovascular risk factors of asymptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis: the Kongcun Town Study in Shandong, China

“…The overall prevalence of aICAS (7.6%) amongst the rural-dwelling middle-aged and older adults was consistent with most previous studies in Asian populations [3,[8][9][10][11][12][13]. The Barcelona-AsIA study of a Caucasian Mediterranean population in Spain identified a prevalence of 8.6% for aICAS when TCD was used in combination with MRA to detect aICAS.…”

“…The Barcelona Asymptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerosis (Barcelona‐AsIA) study of Caucasians aged ≥50 years showed that the prevalence of any aICAS and moderate‐to‐severe aICAS was 8.6% and 3.3%, respectively . Several studies have reported that the prevalence of aICAS in Asian populations (aged ≥ 30 or 40 years) ranged from 4.7% to 15.7% . Most of these studies used either transcranial Doppler (TCD) or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) to detect aICAS.…”

Color‑coded duplex sonography vs. 3.0 Tesla magnetic resonance angiography for detection of intracranial stenosis of the internal carotid artery: A prospective cohort study

“…Intracranial stenosis may result in ischemic infarction (1) and is associated with a risk of ischemic stroke (2). Extracranial and intracranial carotid artery stenosis is common among symptomatic patients in China (3). Autopsy studies have proved that cerebral vascular occlusion is the major cause of stroke (4).…”

The diagnostic value of circulating miR-532-5p in patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis and its predictive significance for the occurrence of cerebral ischaemic events

“…In later stages, plaques can mature and often become unstable, rupture, and lead to acute ischaemic events. It is reported that CAS events cause more deaths in developed countries than cancer and injuries, and with advances in health care and rising life expectancy, the prevalence of CAS in developing countries is still increasing [18][19][20]. Understanding and maxi mising primary prevention strategies for asymptomatic CAS is therefore critical.…”