An Elevated High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels Is Associated with Favorable Outcomes of Patients with Small-Artery Occlusion
Abstract Background: The relationship between high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and small-artery occlusion (SAO) is not well understood. Methods: A total of 3067 consecutive patients with SAO were recruited from Tianjin Huanhu Hospital between January 01, 2008, and December 31, 2015. HDL values at admission were classified into four groups according to quartiles (<0.92, 0.92–1.08, 1.08–1.28, and ≥1.28). Patients were followed up to 12 months after stroke. Prognoses, represented by modified Rankin scale (mRS), were estimated via HDL quartiles upon admission utilizing multivariate logistic regression analysis. Meanwhile, we conducted additional subgroup analyses to investigate associations according to age. Results: Among 3067 patients, 2284(74.5%) were classified as having favorable outcomes, 783(25.5%) had a composite of poor outcomes,recurrent stroke, myocardial infarction or vascular death within 12 months. After adjustment for possible confounders, HDL levels in the two highest quartiles (1.08–1.28 and ≥1.28) were correlated with the 12-month primary outcome of patients with SAO (1.08–1.28 , 0.587; 95% CI,0.394-0.873; P = 0.009; ≥1.28, 0.448; 95% CI, 0.291-0.688; P < 0.001). However, a direct correlation was found in patients aged 45–75 years (1.08–1.28, P = 0.033; ≥1.28, P = 0.001).Similar to the primary outcome,a direct correlation was also found in patients aged 45–75 years with a 12-month secondary outcomes(≥1.28 mmol/L, p = 0.001). Conclusions: An elevated HDL cholesterol level in patients with SAO is an independent predictor of a favorable prognosis 12 months after SAO. However, the association was only present in patients aged 45–75 years. Keywords: High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol, Stroke, Outcome, Small-Artery Occlusion.