Risk Factors for Leukoaraiosis in North American and Iranian Stroke Patients

Background: leukoaraiosis (la) or white matter thinningand rarefaction are common in stroke patients. this pilot double-center study was designed to evaluate la risk factors instroke patients.methods: this cross sectional study was conducted on 100consecutive stroke patients in walter mackenzie hospital,canada and 100 consecutive stroke patients in val ie-asrhospital, iran in 2004. diagnosis of ischemic stroke and lawas performed by stroke neurologists using ct scan. the effectsof race, gender, age groups, hypertension, diabetes, hypercholestrolemiaand smoking on frequency rate of la wereevaluated.results: the frequency rate of la was the same in strokepatients living in north america or iran. but, the frequency ofla in female stroke patients was more frequent than males(p(less than)0.005). la was significantly predominant in stroke patientswith age2:65-yrs than those with age(less than)65-yrs (p(less than)0.05).the frequency of la was significant in hypertensive patients.however, the frequency rate of la was not influenced by diabetes,hypercholestrolemia and smoking.conclusion: female gender, age and hypertension seem to bethe main risk factors of leukoaraiosis. in addition, there was nodifference between the frequency rates of la in patients livingin iran or north america.