Risk factors of cerebral microbleeds in ischemic stroke and the correlation between cerebral microbleeds and cognitive function

ObjectiveTo explore the risk factors of cerebral microbleeds(CMBs) and the correlation between CMBs and cognitive function in patients with ischemic stroke.

MethodsThe data of 70 patients with ischemic stroke were collected. According to SWI, they were divided into cerebral microbleeds group(CMBs group, n=29) and non-cerebral microbleeds group(N-CMBs group, n=41). The data of the two groups were collected and the risk factors of CMBs were analyzed. MoCA and MMSE scale were used to evaluate the cognitive function of the two groups, and the correlation between CMBs and cognitive function was analyzed.

ResultsAge, hypertension, history of antiplatelet drugs, leukoaraiosis and history of stroke were the risk factors for CMBs(P < 0.05 to P < 0.01). There were significant differences in the scores in MoCA, MMSE and the number of cases of cognitive impairment between CMBs group and N-CMBs group(P < 0.01). Spearman correlation analysis was carried out between cognitive function and the degree of CMBs, the results showed that MoCA score was negtively correlated with CMBs degree(r_s=-0.889, P < 0.05). MMSE score was negtively correlated, and with CMBs degree(r_s=-0.726, P < 0.05).

ConclusionsCMBs can lead to the decline of cognitive function, and more numbers of CMBs can induce the more severe cognitive impairment. Age, hypertension, history of antiplatelet drugs, leukoaraiosis and history of stroke are the risk factors of CMBs, and age is the independent risk factor of CMBs.