Abstract:

Objective To investigate the distribution of risk factors and its influence on prognosis in patients with posterior circulation ischemic stroke (PCS). Methods The data of demographics, NIHSS scores on admission and vascular risk factors were collected from 129 patients with PCS confirmed by clinical and imaging examinations. Patients were followed up for 3 months for prognosis information. The prevalences of risk factors were calculated, and their relationship with prognosis was analysed.ResultsAmong the investigated risk factors, hypertension (83.7%), hyperlipoidemia (56.6%), cigarette smoking (39.5%) and hyperglycemia (39.5%) were the most prevalent ones. Patients with 0 to 7 risk factors accounted for 4.65%, 10.85%, 23.26%, 27.13%, 24.81%, 4.65%, 3.88% and 0.78% of the total, respectively, and most patients had hypertension and another one or more risk factors. NIHSS scores on admission, instead of vascular risk factors, were independently correlated with prognosis (OR=1.58, 95% CI, 1.28－1.96). Conclusion Risk factors in patients with anterior circulation ischemic stroke or PCS are similar, and should be controlled in patients with PCS. Risk factors have impact on the incidence of PCS, while do not determine the prognosis of patients.

Key words: ischemic stroke, posterior circulation, risk factor, prognosis