Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy associated with systemic lupus erythematosus: longitudinal observation of lymphocytes, JC virus in cerebrospinal fluid, and brain magnetic resonance imaging.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) rarely occurs in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This report presents the case of a patient who developed PML due to SLE-associated multiple factors. A 60-year-old woman diagnosed with SLE undergoing multiple immunosuppressive therapies, including azathioprine, presented with cerebral cortical symptoms, lymphocytopenia, and vitamin B12 deficiency and was subsequently diagnosed with SLE-associated PML. We evaluated the cause and disease activity of PML, focusing on the longitudinal assessment of lymphocytopenia, JC virus (JCV) DNA copy number in the cerebrospinal fluid, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. Discontinuing azathioprine and initiating alternative immunosuppressive treatments with intramuscular vitamin B12 injections affected lymphocytopenia and disease management. However, despite recovery from lymphopenia and JCV DNA copy number being low, the large hyperintense and punctate lesions observed on the fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images exhibited varying behaviors, indicating that the balance between contributing factors for PML may have fluctuated after the initial treatment. Clinicians should be meticulous when assessing the underlying pathology of the multifactorial causes of PML due to SLE. The difference in the transition pattern of these lesions on FLAIR images may be one of the characteristics of MRI findings in PML associated with SLE, reflecting fluctuations in disease activity and the progression stage of PML.

On-scene time delays for epileptic seizures in developed community-based integrated care system regions.

BACKGROUND: Delayed on-scene time by emergency medical services (EMS) can have detrimental effects on critical cases for people with epilepsy (PWE). In preparation for a super-aged society, a Community-based Integrated Care System is crucial to manage healthcare costs. However, sufficient coordination irrespective of sociomedical changes among medical providers is challenging. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate on-scene time delays in the treatment of PWE, identify factors associated with such delays, and clarify regional differences. The focus was on the volume of acute care beds in regions with a developed Community-based Integrated Care System. METHODS: This population-based observational study evaluated on-scene time delays in the treatment of PWE across six major cities in western Japan between 2017 and 2021. In addition, we also evaluated the association between regional differences focusing on volume of acute care beds ("Reduced region" and "Preserved region", as cities with numbers of acute care beds per 1,000 people below and above the national average, respectively) along with sociomedical factors associated with on-scene time delays. RESULTS: This study included 8,737 PWE transported by EMS, with a mean on-scene time for EMS ranging from 12.9 ± 6.8 min to 21.7 ± 10.6 min. On-scene time delays were evident in Reduced regions, with an increase of 1.45 min (95 % confidence interval 0.86-2.03 min, p < 0.001). A high total EMS call volume independently influenced on-scene time delays during the middle period of the pandemic in Reduced regions. CONCLUSION: Optimal coordination must be facilitated to ensure the effective functioning of the Community-based Integrated Care System, particularly during unusual circumstances.

Emergency medical service response for cases of stroke-suspected seizure: A population-based study.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the on-scene time of emergency medical services (EMS) for cases where discrimination between acute stroke and epileptic seizures at the initial examination was difficult and identified factors linked to delays in such scenarios. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of cases with suspected seizure using the EMS database of fire departments across six Japanese cities between 2016 and 2021 was conducted. Patient classification was based on transport codes. We defined cases with stroke-suspected seizure as those in whom epileptic seizure was difficult to differentiate from stroke and evaluated their EMS on-scene time compared to those with epileptic seizures. RESULTS: Among 30,439 cases with any seizures, 292 cases of stroke-suspected seizure and 8,737 cases of epileptic seizure were included. EMS on-scene time in cases of stroke-suspected seizure was shorter than in those with epileptic seizure after propensity score matching (15.1±7.2 min vs. 17.0±9.0 min; p = 0.007). Factors associated with delays included transport during nighttime (odds ratio [OR], 1.73, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.02-2.93, p = 0.041) and transport during the 2020-2021 pandemic (OR, 1.77, 95 % CI 1.08-2.90, p = 0.022). CONCLUSION: This study highlighted the difference between the characteristics in EMS for stroke and epileptic seizure by evaluating the response to cases with stroke-suspected seizure. Facilitating prompt and smooth transfers of such cases to an appropriate medical facility after admission could optimize the operation of specialized medical resources.

Liver fibrosis index is associated with functional outcome among acute ischemic stroke patients.

INTRODUCTION: The fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index and the fibrosis-5 (FIB-5) index are noninvasive markers of liver fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Although liver fibrosis a potential risk factor for stroke development, it is uncertain whether liver fibrosis influences stroke outcomes. We investigated the associations between these two indices and stroke patient outcomes and compared their predictive accuracy. METHODS: We conducted a double-center, hospital-based, retrospective study. Consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients (n=2399) were analyzed. We calculated the FIB-4 index and the FIB-5 index and evaluated their relationships with poor stroke outcome, which was defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 3-6 at three months after stroke. We evaluated the ability of each index to predict stroke outcome according to cutoff values calculated from receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: Of 2399 recruited patients, 1549 patients (mean age, 73 years) were analyzed. The FIB-4 index and FIB-5 index had similar areas under their ROC curves for predicting stroke outcome (FIB-4 index, 0.675 and FIB-5 index, 0.683, P=0.334). The cutoff points of the FIB-4 index and FIB-5 index according to the ROC analysis were associated with poor stroke outcome in the multivariable analyses (odds ratio [OR] 2.23, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.72-2.89, OR 1.93, 95 % CI 1.47-2.54, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Liver fibrosis scores may be useful for predicting outcomes in patients with acute stroke. The FIB-4 and FIB-5 indices should be considered comprehensive tools for assessing the outcome risk after ischemic stroke.

On-scene time delays for epileptic seizures in emergencies during a social pandemic: A population-based study.

OBJECTIVES: The on-scene time of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), including time for hospital selection, is critical for people in an emergency. However, the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) led to longer delays in providing immediate care for individuals with non-COVID-19-related emergencies, such as epileptic seizures. This study aimed to examine factors associated with on-scene time delays for people with epilepsy (PWE) with seizures needing immediate amelioration. MATERIALS & METHODS: We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study for PWE transported by EMS between 2016 and 2021. We used data from the Hiroshima City Fire Service Bureau database, divided into three study periods: "Pre period", the period before the COVID pandemic (2016-2019); "Early period", the early period of the COVID pandemic (2020); and "Middle period", the middle period of the COVID pandemic (2021). We performed linear regression modeling to identify factors associated with changes in EMS on-scene time for PWE during each period. In addition, we estimated the rate of total EMS call volume required to maintain the same on-scene time for PWE transported by EMS during the pandemic expansion. RESULTS: Among 2,205 PWE transported by EMS, significant differences in mean age and prevalence of impaired consciousness were found between pandemic periods. Total EMS call volume per month for all causes during the same month <5,000 (-0.55 min, 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.02 - -0.08, p = 0.022) and transport during the Early period (-1.88 min, 95%CI -2.75 - -1.00, p < 0.001) decreased on-scene time, whereas transport during the Middle period (1.58 min, 95%CI 0.70 - 2.46, p < 0.001) increased on-scene time for PWE transported by EMS. The rate of total EMS call volume was estimated as 0.81 (95%CI -0.04 - 1.07) during the expansion phase of the pandemic to maintain the same degree of on-scene time for PWE transported by EMS before the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: On-scene time delays on PWE in critical care settings were observed during the Middle period. When the pandemic expanded, the EMS system required resource allocation to maintain EMS for time-sensitive illnesses such as epileptic seizures. Timely system changes are critical to meet dramatic social changes.

Paradoxical effects of levetiracetam in people with epilepsy with rhythmic epileptiform discharges.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the incidence and risk factors for paradoxical effects (i.e., increased seizure frequency, increased seizure severity, or onset of new seizure types) of levetiracetam (LEV) in people with epilepsy (PWE) and identify the usefulness of electroencephalography (EEG) in predicting these effects. METHODS: We examined data for consecutive PWE treated with LEV. All PWE underwent EEG and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before LEV administration. We also evaluated the incidence of paradoxical LEV effects and conducted multivariate logistic regression analyses to identify the associated factors. RESULTS: In total, 210 (66.2%) of 317 PWEs treated in our department had a history of LEV use. The incidence of paradoxical LEV effects was 5.2% (n = 11) and was significantly associated with a high LEV dose (p = 0.029), high seizure frequency (p = 0.005), temporal lobe epilepsy (p = 0.004), focal awareness seizure (p = 0.004), focal impaired awareness seizure (p = 0.007), spike (p = 0.015), rhythmic epileptiform discharges (REDs; p = 0.003), and MRI-identified focal cortical dysplasia (FCD; p < 0.0001). Multivariate analyses revealed that REDs (odds ratio [OR] = 5.35, p = 0.048, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-28.21) were independently associated with paradoxical LEV effects. CONCLUSIONS: Paradoxical LEV effects occurred in PWE, particularly in those with drug-resistant focal epilepsy. Furthermore, the occurrence of REDs in EEG was an independent factor associated with the paradoxical effects of LEV in PWE.

Immediate and 6-month seizure outcomes following first and second SARS-CoV2 mRNA vaccinations: A multicenter study with a nationwide survey.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify seizure outcomes in people with epilepsy (PWE) following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) messenger RNA vaccination. METHODS: We examined PWE (n = 332, age ≥ 14 years) treated in four tertiary hospitals between 2021 and 2022 to assess the incidence of seizure worsening following vaccination using closed questions. We identified the clinical factors associated with worsening and 6-month vaccination outcomes. We also conducted a nationwide survey on self-reported seizure worsening using open questions, to which 261 general practitioners from 99 institutes contributed. RESULTS: Of the 282 PWE vaccinated in the four hospitals, 16 (5.7%) exhibited seizure worsening; most of them emerged within 48 h of vaccination and were not sustained. Thus, all PWE were at baseline condition 6 months after their vaccination. PWE with seizure worsening were more significantly associated with focal impaired awareness seizures (p < 0.001), high seizure frequency (p = 0.025), and drug-resistant epilepsy (p = 0.007) at baseline compared to PWE without worsening. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that focal impaired awareness seizures were independently associated with worsening (odds ratio, 7.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.50-32.77). A nationwide survey of 5156 PWE data (real-world data) confirmed an extremely low incidence rate of self-reported seizure worsening (0.43%). SIGNIFICANCE: Some PWE, particularly refractory focal epilepsy, exhibit seizure worsening. However, the worsening events were infrequent, non-sustainable, and probably under-reported by PWE, suggesting that there is little evidence that worsening seizures discourage current and future vaccinations.

A case of ischemic stroke associated with protein-losing gastroenteropathy and protein S deficiency.

Protein-losing gastroenteropathies are characterized by an excessive loss of serum proteins into the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in hypoalbuminemia. Some rare cases are complicated with ischemic stroke. We report a 24-year-old woman who developed acute dysarthria and right hemiplegia 4 months after delivering her first baby by cesarean section. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed a high-intensity signal in the left anterior cerebral artery territory and middle cerebral artery territory. She had marked hypoalbuminemia and decreased protein S activity. We identified protein-losing gastroenteropathy as the cause of the hypoalbuminemia, and she had a missense mutation of the PROS 1 gene, which was associated with decreased protein S activity. We speculated that the development of protein-losing gastroenteropathy accelerated the decline in protein S activity and caused cerebral infarction.

The association between nutritional intake one week after admission and outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients.

OBJECTIVES: Although associations between malnutrition status at stroke admission and poor stroke outcomes have been established, the effect of nutritional intake during the acute phase remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the associations between nutritional intake one week after admission and the outcome at three months among acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive AIS patients were investigated. Nutritional status at admission was evaluated using the Controlling Nutritional Status score, calculated from the serum albumin, lymphocyte count, and total cholesterol. We retrospectively evaluated nutritional intake (energy and protein) one week after admission, and the cutoff value of each nutritional intake level for good outcome was defined as the modified Rankin Scale 0-2 at three months after stroke onset using the receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: Of the 205 patients, 146 patients had good outcomes. Mild initial neurological symptoms and good nutritional status at admission were associated with good outcome. The cutoff value of good outcome for protein intake was 0.812 g/kg/day (sensitivity: 0.884, specificity: 0.509) and that for energy intake was 19.0 kcal/kg/day (sensitivity: 0.918, specificity: 0.424). Those nutritional intake indicators were independently associated with good outcome after adjusting for baseline confounders, including stroke severity and nutritional status at admission (protein intake: odds ratio (OR), 4.04; 95% confidence intervals (CIs), 1.14-13.1, and energy intake: OR, 5.00; 95% CIs, 1.41-17.8, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Adequate nutritional intake at one week after admission was independently associated with good outcome regardless of the nutritional status at admission or stroke severity.

Assessment of Serum IgG Titers to Various Periodontal Pathogens Associated with Atrial Fibrillation in Acute Stroke Patients.

OBJECTIVES: There is accumulating evidence that periodontal disease is associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) or stroke, but it is unclear which causative species of periodontal disease are present in stroke patients with AF. We aimed to investigate the associations between AF and specific periodontal pathogens using serum titers of IgG antibodies of bacteria in acute stroke patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Acute stroke patients were registered at two hospitals. Serum samples were evaluated for titers of antibodies against 9 periodontal pathogens (16 genotypes) using ELISAs. We identified AF in patients according to the following criteria: (1) a history of sustained or paroxysmal AF or (2) AF detection upon arrival or during admission. We carried out propensity score matching to categorize the patients as those with AF and those without. RESULTS: Of the 664 acute stroke patients, 123 (18.5%) had AF. After propensity score matching, 234 patients were selected. Patients with AF had a higher prevalence of positive serum titers of antibodies against Porphyromonas gingivalis (FimA type III) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (FimA type V) than those without AF (59.0% vs. 39.3%, p=0.004 and 58.2% vs. 40.2%, p=0.009, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Porphyromonas gingivalis, especially FimA type III and type V, might be associated with AF in stroke patients.

Diffusion-Weighted Imaging Hyperintensities in Acute and Subacute-Phase Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: Diffusion-weighted imaging hyperintensities are observed in intracerebral hemorrhage patients at times and might be associated with unfavorable functional outcomes. However, the suitable time to evaluate diffusion-weighted imaging hyperintensities to influence stroke outcome remains unclear. This study investigated the associations between acute and sub-acute diffusion-weighted imaging hyperintensities and functional outcomes among patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage. METHODS: Diffusion-weighted imaging hyperintensities were evaluated within 24 h (acute phase) and at 14 ± 5 days (sub-acute phase). An unfavorable functional outcome was a score of 5-6 on the modified Rankin Scale at 3 months. RESULTS: Among 268 intracerebral hemorrhage patients, diffusion-weighted imaging hyperintensities in the acute phase were observed in 32 (11.9%). Among 227 patients who underwent a second magnetic resonance imaging in the sub-acute phase, diffusion-weighted imaging hyperintensities were observed in 57 (25.1%). Multivariable analysis revealed that the baseline intracerebral hemorrhage volume, history of stroke, and severe white matter lesions were associated with sub-acute diffusion-weighted imaging hyperintensities. The patients with unfavorable outcomes (n = 37) had a higher frequency of sub-acute diffusion-weighted imaging hyperintensities than those without (n = 190) (51.4% vs. 20.0%, P < 0.001); the frequencies of acute diffusion-weighted imaging hyperintensities were not significantly different between the groups (13.5% vs. 10.0%, P = 0.559). Sub-acute diffusion-weighted imaging hyperintensities were independently associated with unfavorable outcomes after adjusting for confounding factors (Odds Ratio, 3.35, 95% CI 1.20-9.35, P = 0.021). CONCLUSION: The rate of sub-acute diffusion-weighted imaging hyperintensities was higher than acute diffusion-weighted imaging hyperintensities among acute intracerebral hemorrhage patients and likely to be associated with unfavorable outcomes.

cnm-Positive Streptococcus mutans and diffusion-weighted imaging hyperintensities in acute intracerebral hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Strains of Streptococcus mutans expressing the cell surface collagen-binding protein, Cnm, encoded by cnm (cnm-positive S. mutans), are associated with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and the occurrence of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs). Small diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) hyperintensities in patients with acute ICH are also associated with CMBs. However, the association between cnm-positive S. mutans and DWI hyperintensities is unclear. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the association between cnm-positive S. mutans and DWI hyperintensities in patients with acute ICH. METHODS: Patients with acute ICH were prospectively registered at three hospitals. Dental plaque specimens were collected within 4 days after admission, and cnm-positive S. mutans was detected using the polymerase chain reaction. Magnetic resonance imaging at 14 ± 5 days after admission was used to evaluate DWI hyperintensities and CMBs. RESULTS: A total of 197 patients were enrolled in this study. cnm-positive S. mutans was detected in 30 patients (15.2%), and DWI hyperintensities were observed in 56 patients (28.4%). Patients with cnm-positive S. mutans had a higher frequency of DWI hyperintensities (50.0% vs 24.6%; p = 0.008) and a higher number of CMBs (5.5 vs 1.5; p < 0.001) than those without cnm-positive S. mutans. Multivariable logistic analysis revealed that the presence of cnm-positive S. mutans was independently associated with DWI hyperintensities (OR 2.38; 95% CI 1.01-5.61; p = 0.047) after adjusting for several confounding factors. CONCLUSION: This study found an association between the presence of cnm-positive S. mutans and DWI hyperintensities in patients with acute ICH.

Socio-economic impact on epilepsy outside of the nation-wide COVID-19 pandemic area.

OBJECTIVE: To identify people with epilepsy (PWE) who required extensive care before the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that had world-wide impacts on medical care and on socio-economic conditions. METHODS: Consecutive PWE who were treated at the epilepsy center of Hiroshima University Hospital, which was located in the COVID-19 non-pandemic area, between March 2019 and August 2020 were enrolled. We evaluated clinical and socioeconomic factors that were associated with seizure exacerbation (an increase in seizure frequency) during the first 6 months after the COVID-19 pandemic started compared with the previous 6 months. RESULTS: Among the 196 PWE who were evaluated (mean age was 37.8 ±â€¯16.2 years), there were 33 PWE (16.8%) whose seizure frequency had increased after the pandemic began. People with epilepsy with a seizure increase showed a significant association with living alone (p < 0.001), a higher seizure frequency (p < 0.001), negative findings on MRI (p = 0.020), history of dissociative seizure (p < 0.001), mood disorders (p < 0.001), insomnia (p < 0.001), and high psychological stress levels (p = 0.024) at baseline compared with PWE without seizure exacerbation. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that "living alone" (odds ratio (OR) 3.69; 95%CI 1.29-10.52), "high seizure frequency at baseline" (OR 4.53; 95%CI 1.63-12.57), and "comorbidity of insomnia" (OR 9.55; 95%CI 3.71-24.55) were independently associated with seizure exacerbation. CONCLUSIONS: Even in the non-pandemic area, PWE had seizure exacerbation, suggesting that clinicians should screen patients' mental health before the outbreak to provide care, reduce the burden, and prevent social isolation in PWE. This should be addressed particularly in patients with medically refractory seizures with insomnia who live alone.

Utility of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy for the Progression of Neurological Symptoms in Lenticulostriate Artery Territory Infarction.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1HMRS) in determining the progression of neurological symptoms resulting in acute ischemic stroke in patients with lenticulostriate artery (LSA) infarction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 1HMRS was performed within 72 h after neurological symptom onset. Voxel of interest was placed in tissue that included the pyramidal tract and identified diffusion weighted echo planar spin-echo sequence (DWI) coronal images. Infarct volume in DWI was calculated using the ABC/2 method. 1HMRS data (tNAA, tCr, Glx, tCho, and Ins) were analyzed using LCModel. Progressive neurological symptoms were defined as an increase of 1 or more in the NIHSS score. Patients who underwent 1HMRS after progressive neurological symptoms were excluded. RESULTS: In total, 77 patients were enrolled. Of these, 19 patients had progressive neurological symptoms. The patients with progressive neurological symptoms were significantly more likely to be female and had higher tCho/tCr values, higher rates of axial slices ≥ 3 slices on DWI, higher infarct volume on DWI, higher maximum diameter of infarction of axial slice on DWI, and higher SBP on admission compared to those without. Multivariable logistic analysis revealed that higher tCho/tCr values were independently associated with progressive neurological symptoms after adjusting for age, sex, and initial DWI infarct volume (tCho/tCr per 0.01 increase, OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.03-1.52, P = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: Increased tCho/tCr score were associated with progressive neurological symptoms in patients with LSA ischemic stroke. Quantitative evaluation of 1HMRS parameters may be useful for predicting the progression of neurological symptoms.

Conus Medullaris Infarction Involving the Paraspinal Muscles and Nerve Roots.

Spinal cord infarctions account for less than 1% of all strokes. The segmental artery supplies the spinal cord, vertebrae, nerve roots, and paraspinal muscles. To our knowledge, this is the first case of spinal cord infarction involving multiple distinct infarcts at various sites, including the lumbar vertebrae, conus medullaris, dorsal thoracolumbar spinal cord, paraspinal muscles, and nerve roots.

Baseline Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Stroke Recurrence During Secondary Prevention With Pravastatin.

Background and Purpose- As a prespecified post hoc analysis of the J-STARS (Japan Statin Treatment Against Recurrent Stroke) Echo Study, the 5-year stroke recurrence rate according to the baseline mean carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) with and without pravastatin treatment was investigated. Methods- Patients were randomly assigned to receive pravastatin 10 mg/day (pravastatin group) or control group (nonstatin treatment; 1:1) for 5 years. Baseline mean IMT of the common carotid artery was measured by ultrasonography. Cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate whether the stroke (any ischemic stroke, atherothrombotic brain infarction, or lacunar infarction) recurrence rate was different according to tertiles of baseline mean IMT. Results- A total of 793 patients, including 388 in the pravastatin group and 405 in the control group, were investigated. In the control group, Cox proportional hazards models showed that participants in the highest tertile IMT group (≥0.931 mm) had a higher rate of atherothrombotic brain infarction than those in the lowest tertile IMT group (<0.812 mm; [hazard ratio, 9.08; 95% CI, 1.15-71.43]). Patients in the pravastatin group had a lower risk of atherothrombotic brain infarction than those in the control group only in the highest tertile IMT group by the log-rank test ( P value=0.045). Conclusions- Long-term pravastatin administration may prevent the occurrence of atherothrombotic brain infarction in noncardioembolic infarction patients with the highest tertile IMT. Clinical Trial Registration- URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT00361530.

Warm Front Passage on the Previous Day Increased Ischemic Stroke Events.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The influence of a weather front passage is rarely evaluated on stroke events. We hypothesized that a weather front passage on the stroke onset day or during the previous days may play an important role in the incidence of stroke. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the frequency of stroke events and their interaction with weather front passages. Consecutive acute stroke patients (n = 3935, 73.5 ± 12.4 years, 1610 females) who were admitted to 7 stroke hospitals in 3 cities from January 2012 to December 2013 were enrolled in this study. Multivariate Poisson regression models involving time lag variables were used to compare the daily rates of stroke events with the day of a weather front passage and the previous 6 days, adjusting for considerable influences of ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure. RESULTS: There were a total of 33 cold fronts and 13 warm fronts that passed over the 3 cities during the study period. The frequency of ischemic stroke significantly increased when a warm front passed on the previous day (risk ratio 1.34, 95% confidence interval 1.07-1.69, P= .016). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that a weather front passage on the previous days may be associated with the occurrence of stroke.

Desirable Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels for Preventing Stroke Recurrence: A Post Hoc Analysis of the J-STARS Study (Japan Statin Treatment Against Recurrent Stroke).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To define desirable target low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels for the prevention of stroke recurrence, a post hoc analysis was performed in the J-STARS study (Japan Statin Treatment Against Recurrent Stroke). METHODS: Subjects (n=1578) were divided into groups based on mean value of postrandomized LDL cholesterol levels until the last observation in 20 mg/dL increments. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals were analyzed for each group, with adjustments for baseline LDL cholesterol, baseline body mass index, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and statin usage. RESULTS: The postrandomized LDL cholesterol level until the last observation were 104.1±19.3 mg/dL in the pravastatin group and 126.1±20.6 mg/dL in the control group. The adjusted HRs for stroke and transient ischemic attack and all vascular events decreased in the postrandomized LDL cholesterol level of 80 to 100 mg/dL (P=0.23 and 0.25 for the trend, respectively). The adjusted HR for atherothrombotic infarction significantly reduced with the usage of statin after adjusting baseline LDL cholesterol levels (HR, 0.39; 95% confidence intervals, 0.19-0.83). The adjusted HR for atherothrombotic infarction and intracranial hemorrhage were similar among the postrandomized LDL-cholesterol-level subgroups (P=0.50 and 0.37 for the trend, respectively). The adjusted HR for lacunar infarction decreased in the postrandomized LDL cholesterol level of 100 to 120 mg/dL (HR, 0.45; 95% confidence intervals, 0.20-0.99; P=0.41 for the trend). CONCLUSIONS: The composite risk of stroke and transient ischemic attack reduced in the postrandomized LDL cholesterol level of 80 to 100 mg/dL after adjusting for statin usage. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00221104.

Long-Term Effect of Pravastatin on Carotid Intima-Media Complex Thickness: The J-STARS Echo Study (Japan Statin Treatment Against Recurrent Stroke).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The effect of statins on progression of carotid intima-media complex thickness (IMT) has been shown exclusively in nonstroke Western patients. This study aimed to determine the effect of low-dose pravastatin on carotid IMT in Japanese patients with noncardioembolic ischemic stroke. METHODS: This is a substudy of the J-STARS trial (Japan Statin Treatment Against Recurrent Stroke), a multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel-group trial to examine whether pravastatin reduces stroke recurrence. Patients were randomized to receive pravastatin (10 mg daily, usual dose in Japan; pravastatin group) or not to receive any statins (control group). The primary outcome was IMT change of the common carotid artery for a 5-year observation period. IMT change was compared using mixed-effects models for repeated measures. RESULTS: Of 864 patients registered in this substudy, 71 without baseline ultrasonography were excluded, and 388 were randomly assigned to the pravastatin group and 405 to the control group. Baseline characteristics were not significantly different, except National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores (median, 0 [interquartile range, 0-2] versus 1 [interquartile range, 0-2]; P=0.019) between the 2 groups. Baseline IMT (mean±SD) was 0.887±0.155 mm in the pravastatin group and 0.887±0.152 mm in the control group (P=0.99). The annual change in the IMT at 5-year visit was significantly reduced in the pravastatin group as compared with that in the control group (0.021±0.116 versus 0.040±0.118 mm; P=0.010). CONCLUSIONS: The usual Japanese dose of pravastatin significantly reduced the progression of carotid IMT at 5 years in patients with noncardioembolic stroke. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00361530.

Blood Pressure Variability in Acute Ischemic Stroke: Influence of Infarct Location in the Insular Cortex.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to elucidate the influence of insular infarction on blood pressure (BP) variability and outcomes according to the region of the insular cortex affected. METHODS: A total of 90 patients diagnosed with acute unilateral ischemic stroke were registered. The BP variability was calculated over 24 h after admission (hyperacute) and for 2-3 days after admission (acute). Patients were classified into groups of right and left, and then right anterior, right posterior, left anterior, and left posterior insular infarction. RESULTS: Patients with insular infarction showed a significantly larger infarct volume, higher modified Rankin scale scores, and lower SD and coefficient of variation (CV) of -systolic BP in the hyperacute phase than shown by patients without insular infarction (p < 0.01, p < 0.01, p = 0.02, and p = 0.03, respectively). The SD and CV of systolic BP in the hyperacute phase showed significant differences among the 3 groups with right insular infarction, with left insular infarction, and without insular infarction (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05, respectively). There was a tendency for the systolic BP variability to be lower in patients with right anterior insular infarction than in patients with infarcts in other areas. CONCLUSION: The right insular cortex, especially the anterior part, might be a hub for autonomic nervous regulation.