| This research aimed to study the risk factors for patients with vascular cognitive
impairment (VCI) and exam the therapy effects of stroke unit on those people. Methods: We included 50
non-dementia VCI (VCIND) patients, 54 vascular dementia (VaD) patients, and 50 normal cognition stroke
patients into the VCIND group, VaD group, and NCON group, respectively. We collected general data from all
groups and examined various indicators including levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), blood lipid, blood glucose,
homocysteine (Hcy), and total serum thyroxine (TT4); we completed cranial MRI for all the patients and
evaluated the results. All 3 groups underwent stroke unit therapy. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE),
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) assessment were performed on
VCIND and VaD group patients. Results: Compared with the NCON group, there were significantly more
subjects who smoke, drank, had high blood pressure, and had diabetes in the VaD and VCIND groups (P<0.05).
Moreover, the levels of CRP, LDL-C, fasting blood glucose, Hcy, and TT4 were significantly higher in the VaD
and VCIND groups than those in the NCON group (all P<0.05). Patient age and levels of CRP, Hcy, and TT4
were higher in the VaD group compared to the VCIND group (all P<0.05). In the VaD and VCIND groups, MRI
of various brain regions showed higher Fazekas grades compared to those in the NCON group, and furthermore,
Fazekas grades of the VaD group were higher than that of the VCIND group (all P<0.05). After treatment, the
VCIND group showed an increase in MoCA score and MMSE score and a decrease in ADL score compared to
before treatment (all P<0.05). The VaD group showed an increase in MMSE score and a decrease in ADL after
treatment compared to before (all P<0.05). Conclusion: A higher age, smoking, drinking, hypertension, and
diabetes are potential risk factors for VCI. Appropriate testing such as CRP, Hcy, TT4, and MRI is helpful for the
assessment of cognitive function in patients for early detection. Comprehensive stroke unit therapy is effective in
the treatment of VCI. |