Enlarged perivascular spaces are associated with health‐related quality of life in patients with acute ischemic stroke

• Published in: CNS neuroscience & therapeutics Vol. 23; no. 12; pp. 973 - 979
• Main Authors: Liang, Yan, Deng, Min, Chen, Yang‐Kun, Mok, Vincent, Wang, De‐Feng, Ungvari, Gabor S., Chu, Chiu‐Wing Winnie, Berge, Eivind, Tang, Wai‐Kwong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.12.2017; John Wiley and Sons Inc
• Subjects: Aged; Basal ganglia; Basal Ganglia - pathology; Brain Edema - etiology; Brain Edema - pathology; Brain Ischemia - complications; Cerebral Cortex - diagnostic imaging; cerebral small vessel disease; enlarged perivascular spaces; Female; Humans; Hypothermia; Ischemia; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Mood; Original; Quality of life; Quality of Life - psychology; Regression analysis; Retrospective Studies; Severity of Illness Index; Stroke; Stroke - complications; Stroke - etiology; Stroke - pathology; Stroke - psychology; cerebral small vessel disease; enlarged perivascular spaces; quality of life; stroke
• ISSN: 1755-5930; 1755-5949; 1755-5949
• DOI: 10.1111/cns.12766

Summary Aims This study explored the association between enlarged perivascular spaces (EPVS) and the health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods This was an observational study of consecutively screened patients with acute ischemic stroke from March 2010 to March 2015. EPVS were rated in the basal ganglia and the centrum semiovale with a validated scale. The HRQoL was assessed 3 months after the stroke onset using the Stroke‐Specific Quality of Life (SSQoL). Linear regression models were used to study the association between EPVS and HRQoL. Results The study included 648 patients (mean age 65.8 years; 40.0% women) with mild to moderately severe stroke (median NIHSS score 2), of whom 640 (98.8%) exhibited signs of small vessel disease. The median EPVS scores in the basal ganglia and the centrum semiovale were 1 each. In linear regression analysis, EPVS in the basal ganglia were associated with a lower total SSQoL score (P = 0.02) and lower mobility (P = 0.01), mood (P = 0.03), and self‐care (P < 0.01). EPVS in the centrum semiovale were associated only with a lower SSQoL work/productivity subscore (P = 0.002). Conclusions EPVS are associated with lower HRQoL in patients with mild to moderate acute ischemic stroke. Early identification and intervention of EPVS may improve HRQoL in stroke survivors.