Open AccesssTWEAK is a leukoaraiosis biomarker associated with neurovascular angiopathy
Author(s) -
SilvaCandal Andrés,
Custodia Antia,
LópezDequidt Iria,
RodríguezYáñez Manuel,
AlonsoAlonso Maria Luz,
ÁvilaGómez Paulo,
Pumar José M.,
Castillo José,
Sobrino Tomás,
Campos Francisco,
IglesiasRey Ramón,
Hervella Pablo
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
annals of clinical and translational neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.824
H-Index - 42
ISSN - 2328-9503
DOI - 10.1002/acn3.51502
Subject(s) - medicine , asymptomatic , neurovascular bundle , leukoaraiosis , gastroenterology , angiopathy , stroke (engine) , etiology , hyperintensity , pathology , diabetes mellitus , magnetic resonance imaging , radiology , endocrinology , mechanical engineering , engineering
Objective Leukoaraiosis (LA) refers to white matter lesions of undetermined etiology associated with the appearance and worsening of vascular pathologies. The aim is to confirm an increased frequency and intensity of LA in symptomatic patients with neurovascular pathology compared with asymptomatic subjects, and its association with circulating serum levels of soluble tumor necrosis factor‐like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK). Methods An observational study was conducted in which two groups of patients were compared. Group I ( N = 242) comprised of asymptomatic subjects with arterial hypertension and/or diabetes or with a history of transient ischemic attacks, and Group II (N = 382) comprised patients with lacunar stroke or deep hemispheric intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) of hypertensive origin. Serum levels of sTWEAK were analyzed and correlated with prevalence and intensity of LA according to the Fazekas scale. Results The prevalence of LA was higher in symptomatic (85.1%) versus asymptomatic patients (62.0%). Logistic regression model showed a significant relation of LA with neurovascular pathologies (OR: 2.69, IC 95%: 1.10–6.59, p = 0.003). When stratified according to the Fazekas scale, LA of grade II (OR: 3.53, IC 95%: 1.10–6.59, p = 0.003) and specially grade III (OR: 4.66, 95% CI: 1.09–19.84, p = 0.037) showed correlation with neurovascular pathologies. Increased sTWEAK levels were found in the symptomatic group in all LA grades ( p < 0.0001), and associated with 5.06 times more risk of presenting clinical symptoms (OR: 5.06, 95% CI: 2.66–9.75, p < 0.0001). Interpretation LA showed a higher prevalence in patients with symptomatic lacunar stroke or deep hemispheric ICH. There is an association between sTWEAK levels and LA degree.