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Background Insulin has been demonstrated to play an important role in the occurrence and development of Alzheimer’s disease, especially in those with diabetes. β cells are important insulin-producing cells in human pancreas. This study aimed to investigate the association between β-cell dysfunction and cognitive impairment among patients over 40-year-old with abnormal glucose metabolism in Chinese rural communities. Methods A sample of 592 participants aged 40 years or older from the China National Stroke Prevention Project (CSPP) between 2015 and 2017 were enrolled in this study. Abnormal glucose metabolism was defined when hemoglobin Alc ≥ 5.7%. Cognitive function was assessed by the Beijing edition of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale. Homeostasis assessment of β-cell function was performed and classified into 4 groups according to the quartiles. A lower value of HOMA-β indicated a worse condition of β-cell function. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the association between β-cell function and cognitive impairment. Results In a total of 592 patients with abnormal glucose metabolism, the average age was 60.20 ± 7.63 years and 60.1% patients had cognitive impairment. After adjusting for all potential risk factors, we found the first quartile of β-cell function was significantly associated with cognitive impairment (OR: 2.27, 95%CI: 1.32–3.92), especially at the domains of language (OR: 1.64, 95%CI: 1.01–2.65) and abstraction (OR: 2.29, 95%CI: 1.46–3.58). Conclusions Our study showed that worse β-cell function is associated with cognitive impairment of people over 40-year-old with abnormal glucose metabolism in Chinese rural communities, especially in the cognitive domains of abstraction and language.

Carotid atherosclerosis, including carotid artery intima-media thickness, plaques, and stenosis, is an important risk factor for stroke. However, the association between hemoglobin AA total of 3528 participants without diabetes from the China National Stroke Screen Survey program were enrolled in this study. cIMT was measured using duplex ultrasound examination. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between HbAIn this large-scale and cross-sectional study, high-normal HbA

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Carotid atherosclerosis, especially rupture of plaques, is related to cerebrovascular diseases. Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) is relevant to cerebrovascular diseases and may be a potential risk factor. We designed this study to investigate the association between non-HDL-C and the prevalence of asymptomatic vulnerable carotid atherosclerotic plaques. METHODS We enrolled 2888 participants who underwent carotid atherosclerotic plaque detection and non-HDL-C measurement, with no history of taking lipid-lowering agents, from the Asymptomatic Polyvascular Abnormalities in Community study. We used multivariable logistic regression to estimate the association between non-HDL-C levels and the presence of asymptomatic vulnerable carotid atherosclerotic plaques. RESULTS In our study, 1505 subjects had asymptomatic vulnerable carotid atherosclerotic plaques and 1383 subjects had stable plaques. After adjustment for confounding factors, the odds ratios for vulnerable plaques of non-HDL-C levels in the middle and highest tertile groups were 1.02 (95% confidence interval, 0.84-1.23) and 1.50 (95% confidence interval, 1.23-1.82), respectively (P trend

IntroductionPrimary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke often fails due to poor adherence among patients to evidence-based prevention recommendations. The proper formatting of messages portraying CVD and stroke risks and interventional benefits may promote individuals’ perception and motivation, adherence to healthy plans and eventual success in achieving risk control. The main objective of this study is to determine whether risk and intervention communication strategies (gain-framed vs loss-framed and long-term vs short-term contexts) and potential interaction thereof have different effects on the optimisation of adherence to clinical preventive management for the endpoint of CVD risk reduction among subjects with at least one CVD risk factor.Methods and analysisThis trial is designed as a 2×2 factorial, observer-blinded multicentre randomised controlled study with four parallel groups. Trial participants are aged 45–80 years and have at least one CVD risk factor. Based on sample size calculations for primary outcome, we plan to enrol 15 000 participants. Data collection will occur at baseline, 6 months and 1 year after randomisation. The primary outcomes are changes in the estimated 10-year CVD risk, estimated lifetime CVD risk and estimated CVD-free life expectancy from baseline to the 1-year follow-up.Ethics and disseminationThis study received approval from the Ethical Committee of West China Hospital, Sichuan University and will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.Trial registration numberNCT04450888.

In the general population, there is a strong inverse relationship between the number of ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) metrics and the total incidence of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. However, the prevalence of ideal CVH is extremely low and there are few studies on its association with newly found asymptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis (AICAS). Therefore, we performed this prospective study to assess the relationship between the newly found AICAS and ideal CVH metrics in the Chinese community population. Seven ideal CVH metrics of 3,475 participants in the Asymptomatic Polyvascular Abnormalities Community study (APAC) conducted in China (1,962 men and 1,513 women between the ages of 45 and 75 years) were collected. Based on the occurrence of newly found AICAS, all participants were divided into the AICAS group and non-ICAS group. Prevalence of ideal CVH metrics was compared between the two groups. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association of newly found AICAS with ideal CVH metrics. The result was the number of ideal CVH metrics was strongly associated with age, gender, education levels and family income (each P 3) ideal CVH metrics (OR, 1.27; P = 0.045). Furthermore, less (≤3) ideal CVH metrics was markedly associated with higher incidence of AICAS for all participants, younger participants (OR, 1.34; P = 0.046) and men participants (OR, 1.53; P = 0.032) after adjustment for gender, age, education level, family income and stroke history. Thus we conclude that participants with newly found AICAS have high prevalence of total cholesterol status, and Individuals with low ideal CVH metrics (≤3) are associated with significantly higher prevalence of asymptomatic ICAS, especially in high-risk population of young and men participants. Therefore, primordial prevention of stroke should also focus on those high-risk populations.

Asymptomatic extracranial artery stenosis (ECAS) is a well-known risk factor for stroke and H-type hypertension, which is defined as hypertension with hyperhomocysteinemia, is associated with cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. However, the impact of H-type hypertension on ECAS is mostly unknown. We designed this study to investigate the association between H-type hypertension and prevalence of ECAS. We included 2330 participants in this study and classified them into four groups: the control group without hypertension or hyperhomocysteinemia, isolated hypertension group, isolated hyperhomocysteinemia group and H-type hypertension group. We measured the baseline plasma total homocysteine levels and assessed ECAS by carotid duplex sonography twice at baseline and during follow up. We used a Cox regression model to analyse the association between H-type hypertension and ECAS. At baseline, 608 subjects suffered from H-type hypertension. Within two years of follow-up, asymptomatic ECAS occurred in 250 (10.73%) participants. After adjusting for relevant risk factors, we found H-type hypertension to be an independent risk factor for asymptomatic ECAS (relative risk (RR) 3.16, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2.00–5.00). Our findings provide direct evidence for the importance of H-type hypertension in the occurrence of ECAS and as a potential therapeutic target for carotid atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is a systemic disease with manifestations in multiple vascular beds. Ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) metrics relate to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. However, the relation between ideal CVH metrics and asymptomatic polyvascular disease (polyVD) is unknown. We collected information on the 7 CVH metrics among 5,224 participants aged ≥40 years from 2010 to 2011. Intracranial artery stenosis, extracranial artery stenosis, and lower extremity artery disease were detected by transcranial Doppler, duplex sonography, and by calculating ankle-brachial index. Ordinal logistic regression and linear models were used to analyze the relation between ideal CVH metrics and polyVD. PolyVD was identified in 158 (3%) participants. We observed a significant inverse gradient relation between the number of ideal CVH metrics and prevalence of polyVD after adjustment for potential confounders. The adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were 0.824 (0.657 to 1.032), 0.641 (0.511 to 0.804), 0.538 (0.423 to 0.684), 0.583 (0.442 to 0.769), and 0.530 (0.348 to 0.808) for those having 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 or 7 ideal CVH metrics, respectively, compared with those having 0 or 1 ideal CVH metric (p-trend

Diabetes may be one of the risk factors of cognitive impairment. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between diabetes status and cognitive impairment among the middle-aged and elderly population (≥40 years) in Chinese rural communities.A sample of 3392 participants aged 40 years or older from the China National Stroke Prevention Project (CSPP) between 2015 and 2017 were enrolled in this study. Cognitive function was assessed by the Beijing edition of the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) scale. Cognitive impairment was diagnosed as a MoCA score 26. Diabetes status was divided into three groups------Normal: fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≤ 5.5 mmol/L, Prediabetes: 5.6 ≤ FPG ≤ 6.9 mmol/L, Diabetes: FPG ≥ 7.0 mmol/L or with a history of diabetes. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the association between diabetes status and cognitive impairment.Out of the 3392 enrolled participants, 2023(59.6%) had cognitive impairment, 1586(46.8%) had abnormal fasting plasma glucose including 867(25.6%) prediabetes and 719(21.2%) diabetes. After adjusting for potential risk factors, we found prediabetes (OR: 1.22, 95%CI: 1.03-1.45) and diabetes (OR: 1.28, 95%CI: 1.06-1.55) are all associated with cognitive impairment, especially in the domains of language (prediabetes: OR: 1.14, 95%CI: 1.05-1.25; diabetes: OR:1.13, 95%CI: 1.03-1.24), visuospatial/executive functions (diabetes: OR: 1.50, 95%CI: 1.22-1.84) and attention (diabetes: OR: 1.15, 95%CI: 1.02-1.31).In this large community-based study, we found diabetes status may be an independent risk factor for cognitive impairment, particularly in domains of language, visuospatial/executive functions, and attention.

Given the recognized links between atherosclerosis and cognitive impairment, the aim of this study was to examine the association between the ankle-brachial index (ABI) and cognitive impairment in a cross-sectional setting of a Chinese population.Participants (n = 3,048, aged ≥40 years, 1727 men and 1321 women) were recruited from the ongoing community-based Asymptomatic Polyvascular Abnormalities Community Study. ABI was measured and a low ABI was defined as0.9. Cognition status was evaluated via the Mini-Mental Status Exam. Multivariate logistic regression models and linear regression models were used to assess the association between ABI and cognitive impairment.A low ABI was associated with cognitive impairment (odds ratio, OR = 1.983; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.150-3.419), independent of the potential confounders. In addition, a decreasing ABI (per standard deviation) was significantly associated with cognitive impairment in fully adjusted models (OR = 1.156; CI: 1.013-1.319) and with a significant trend of decreasing MMSE scores (β = 0.703, 95% CI 0.189-1.218, p = 0.0074). Furthermore, the odds of a low ABI associated with cognitive impairment in participants without hypertension and participants with diabetes were 4.924 (CI: 1.860-13.035) and 6.393 (CI: 2.431-16.810), respectively.A low ABI is associated with cognitive impairment, especially in non-hypertensive and diabetic patients.

Background Ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) metrics have been found to be associated with subclinical vascular abnormalities. However, the relationship between ideal CVH metrics and retinal vessel calibers and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in a Chinese population is unknown. Methods We collected information on the seven ideal CVH metrics among 3376 participants aged 40 years or older from the Asymptomatic Polyvascular Abnormalities Community Study in 2012. Retinal vessel calibers and RNFL thickness were assessed by retinal photography and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Multivariable linear models were used to analyze the relationship between ideal CVH metrics and retinal parameters. Results With the decreased number of ideal CVH metrics, central retinal arteriolar equivalents (CRAE) was significantly narrowed and arterio- venous ratio (AVR) significantly decreased (p

Background and aims Atherosclerosis is a diffuse and systemic disease. We aimed to assess prevalence and outcome of extracoronary polyvascular disease (polyVD) in the asymptomatic Chinese community population. Methods A random sample of 5440 participants aged 40 years or older were enrolled in the Asymptomatic Polyvascular Abnormalities Community Study from 2010 to 2011. Intracranial artery stenosis, extracranial artery stenosis, and lower extremity artery disease were detected by transcranial Doppler and duplex sonography, and by calculating the ankle brachial index. The study endpoints included the first occurrence of stroke, myocardial infarction (MI) and all-cause death. Results PolyVD (two or three affected vascular territories) was found in 3.0% of the participants, and was significantly higher in men (4.3%). Over a median follow-up of 4.1 years, we identified a total of 247 events (4.7%), including 83 strokes (68 ischemic), 45 MIs and 134 all-cause deaths. After adjusting for age, gender and other potential confounders, we found a significant increase in risk of major cardiovascular events as well as all-cause death in participants with polyVD. In multivariate Cox regression analyses, the adjusted hazard ratios (HR) (95% confidence interval, CI) for the composite of stroke, MI and all-cause death for single and poly-vascular disease (compared with 0 vascular disease) increased from 1.58 (1.19–2.12) to 1.95 (1.26–3.03). Similarly, the adjusted HR (95% CI) for all-cause death for single and poly-vascular disease increased from 1.53 (1.03–2.29) to 2.22 (1.27–3.86). Conclusions PolyVD significantly increased the risk of major cardiovascular events and all-cause death in the asymptomatic community population. Performing invasive screening tests for polyVD is useful in the high-risk asymptomatic population.

Little is known about the association between homocysteine (Hcy) and asymptomatic CAS in the healthy population. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between Hcy levels and asymptomatic CAS in a Chinese community population. The current study included 5393 participants who were age of 40 years or older, and free of stroke, transient ischemic attack, and coronary artery disease. Demographic and clinical variables were investigated, and the presence of CAS was assessed by Color Doppler Ultrasound. A multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the association between Hcy levels and asymptomatic CAS. 361 (6.69%) participants were diagnosed with asymptomatic CAS, who had higher Hcy levels compared with those without (p-value for trend = 0.0001). After adjusting other possible risk factors, Hcy > 19.3μmol/L was considered as an independent indicator of asymptomatic CAS (OR 1.53, 95%CI 1.05–2.23; p-value for trend = 0.0265), but with a difference between participants with diabetes and without [OR (95%CI): 2.89(1.02–8.22) vs. 1.42(0.95–2.12); P interaction

Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is a unique circulating phospholipase with inflammatory and oxidative activities and the limited data regarding the relationship between Lp-PLA2 and cognitive impairment are conflicted. We conducted a cross-sectional study including 1,374 Chinese adults recruited from 2010 to 2011, aiming to evaluate the relationship between Lp-PLA2 levels and the prevalence of cognitive impairment in a Chinese community-based population. Participants underwent standardized evaluation. Serum Lp-PLA2 mass was measured by ELISA. Cognition status was evaluated via the Mini-Mental Status Exam (MMSE) and cognitive impairment was identified as MMSE 2 mass with cognitive impairment. Lp-PLA2 mass was significantly associated with the prevalence of cognitive impairment after adjusting for other potential confounding factors (compared with the first quartile, adjusted ORs of the second, third, and fourth quartile were 2.058 (95% CI, 0.876–4.835), 2.834 (95% CI, 1.255–6.398), and 4.882 (95% CI, 2.212–10.777), p 2 mass was independently associated with the prevalence of cognitive impairment in Chinese adults.

Questions exist regarding the causal relationship between malnutrition and stroke outcomes. This study aimed to determine whether nutritional status changes or malnutrition during hospitalisation could predict 3-month outcomes in acute stroke patients.During a 10-month period, patients who suffered their first stroke within 7 days after stroke onset were included in this prospective multi-centre study. The demographic parameters, stroke risk and severity factors, malnutrition risk factors and dysphagia were recorded. Nutritional status was assessed by 3 anthropometric and 3 biochemical indices. Changes in nutritional status were defined by comparing the admission values with the 2-week values. A Modified Rankin Scale score of 3-6 was defined as a poor outcome at the 3-month follow-up. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the power of nutritional status changes in predicting poor patient outcomes.Data from 760 patients were analysed. Poor outcomes were observed in 264 (34.7%) patients. Malnutrition prevalence was 3.8% at admission and 7.5% after 2-weeks in hospital, which could not predict 3-month outcome. Emerging malnutrition was observed in 36 patients (4.7%) during the 2-week hospitalisation period and independently predicted poor 3-month outcomes after adjusting for confounding factors (odds ratio 1.37, 95% confidence interval 1.03-1.83).Emerging malnutrition during hospitalisation independently predicted poor 3-month outcomes in acute stroke patients in this study.目的：营养不良和脑卒中结局之间的因果关系仍然存在疑问。本研究的目的是确定住院期 间营养状态的变化或者营养不良能否预测急性脑卒中患者3个月后的结局。方法：在10个月 期间，首次卒中7天内的患者纳入该前瞻性多中心研究。记录人口统计学参数、脑卒中危险 因素和严重程度、营养不良的危险因素及是否有吞咽障碍。营养状态由3个人体测量学指标 和3个生化指标来评估。营养状态的变化是对比入院时和住院2周时的6个指标的变化。3个 月随访时改良的Rankin评分3-6分者认为是不良结局。单因素和多因素Logistic回归分析用于 检测营养状态的变化对不良结局预测的力度。结果：共有760例患者的数据纳入分析，其中 存在不良结局的有264（34.7%）例。入院时营养不良的患病率是3.8%，住院2周时是 7.5% ，而这均不能预测3 个月后的结局。住院2 周内新出现营养不良的患者有36 例 （4.7%），在纠正了混杂因素后仍可独立预测3个月后的结局（OR 1.37, 95% CI, 1.03- 1.83）。结论：本研究中急性卒中患者住院期间新出现的营养不良可以独立预测3个月后 的不良结局。.

To compare the predictive value of serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) cholesterol levels for ischemic stroke in the Chinese population.We performed a four-year cohort study of 95 778 men and women, aged 18-98 years, selected from the Kailuan study (2006-2007). Baseline LDL cholesterol levels were estimated using direct test method. Total cholesterol levels were estimated using endpoint test method. The predictive values of LDL cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol for ischemic stroke were compared.During the follow-up period, there were 1153 incident cases of ischemic stroke. The hazard ratio (HR) for ischemic stroke in the top quintile of LDL cholesterol was the highest among five quintiles (HR: 1·25; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1·01-1·53). The HR in the top quintile of non-HDL cholesterol for ischemic stroke was also the highest among five quintiles (HR: 1·53; 95% CI, 1·24-1·88). Analysis of trends showed a significant positive relationship between ischemic stroke incidence and serum LDL cholesterol level, and non-HDL cholesterol level, respectively (both P0·05). The area under the curve of LDL cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol for ischemic stroke was 0·51 and 0·56, respectively (P0·05 for the difference).Serum Non-HDL cholesterol level is a stronger predictor for the risk of ischemic stroke than serum LDL cholesterol level in the Chinese population.

Background and purposeEarly and accurate diagnosis of stroke by emergency medical service (EMS) paramedics is critical for reducing pre-hospital delays. The Los Angeles pre-hospital stroke screen (LAPSS) has been widely used as a validated screening tool for early identifying stroke patients by EMS paramedics. However, validation of LAPSS has never been performed in Chinese stroke population. This study is aimed to verify the LAPSS for early identifying stroke patients in a Chinese urban EMS.Methods76 paramedics of five urban first aid stations attached to Beijing 120 EMS were involved. The paramedics were trained by professionals to quickly screen patients based on LAPSS. Potential "target stroke" individuals who met the base LAPSS screen criteria were identified. Sensitivity and specificity analyses of the LAPSS were calculated.ResultsFrom June 10, 2009 to June 10, 2010, paramedics transported a total of 50,220 patients. 1550 patients who met the baseline screen criteria were identified as the potential "target stroke" population. 1130 patients had the completed LAPSS information datasheet and 997 patients were clinically diagnosed with stroke. The average time of completing the LAPSS was 4.3±3.0 minutes (median, 5 minutes). The sensitivity and specificity of the LAPSS in this study was 78.44% and 90.22%, respectively. After adjusting for age factor by excluding patients of >45 years old, the sensitivity was significantly increased to 82.95% with specificity unchanged.ConclusionThe paramedics of Beijing 120 EMS could efficiently use LAPSS as a screening tool for early identifying stroke patients. While the sensitivity of LAPSS in Chinese urban patient population was lower than those reported in previous LAPSS validation studies, the specificity was consistent with these studies. After excluded the item of "Age>45 years", the sensitivity was improved.

Intensive control of the risk factors of stroke and the pre-hospital delay after stroke onset both depend on the level of knowledge of stroke in the general population. Our primary objective was to assess the public knowledge about stroke among urban residents in four cities in China.A semi-structured interview and questionnaire was delivered in a survey. Standardized risk factor and symptom statements were used to measure knowledge. The setting of two communities from four different cities of China was used to target a mix of social class and geography. Using systematic sampling and the household as a unit, at least 300 households were chosen in one community. Each household selected one person to fill in the self-designed questionnaire. Uniform training of community physicians was conducted before the survey, and the community physicians completed the survey by face to face indoor-investigation.Total integral questionnaires numbered 2519. The investigation showed that (1) hypertension was identified as a risk factor by nearly 90% of residents. Dyslipidemia, smoking, diabetes, and non-modifiable risk factors were identified by less than 65%; (2) medical therapy of hypertension and diabetes was known by nearly 80% of residents, and the awareness of lifestyle modification was less; (3) weakness or numbness were the most common symptoms identified by community residents (80.2%), and the awareness of other symptoms of stroke ranged from 58.2 to 71.2%; (4) the stroke knowledge score and education level were positively correlated (r(s) = 0.088, P0.001), and age was negatively correlated (r(s) = -0.142, P0.001); (5) 53.0% of residents would call an emergency medical system once stroke symptoms began; (6) the main sources of information about stroke were television (74.4%), doctors (63.2%) and newspapers (61.8%).At present, the urban community residents in China are lacking in knowledge about stroke. Going forward, we should strengthen health education through television, medical staff, newspapers, magazines. Targeted educational populations should be directed at those who are elderly, lower education, male and high risk.

AIMS: To prospectively explore the association between non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDLC) and the risks of stroke and its subtypes. METHODS: A total of 95,916 participants (18-98 years old; 76,354 men and 19,562 women) from a Chinese urban community who were free of myocardial infarction and stroke at baseline time point (2006-2007) were eligible and enrolled in the study. The serum non-HDLC levels of participants were determined by subtracting the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) from total serum cholesterol. The primary outcome was the first occurrence of stroke, which was diagnosed according to the World Health Organization criteria and classified into three subtypes: ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, or subarachnoid hemorrhage. The Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate risk of stroke and its subtypes. RESULTS: During the four-year follow-up, we identified 1614 stroke events (1,156 ischemic, 416 intracerebral hemorrhagic and 42 subarachnoid hemorrhagic). Statistical analyses showed that hazard ratios (HR) (95% Confidence Interval: CI) of serum Non-HDLC level for total and subtypes of stroke were: 1.08 (1.03-1.12) (total), 1.10 (1.05-1.16) (ischemic), 1.03 (0.96-1.10) (intracerebral hemorrhage) and 0.83 (0.66-1.05) (subarachnoid hemorrhage). HR for non-HDLC refers to the increase per each 20 mg/dl. For total and ischemic stroke, the risks were significantly higher in the fourth and fifth quintiles of non-HDLC concentrations compared to the first quintile after adjusting the confounding factors (total stroke: 4(th) quintile HR=1.33 (1.12-1.59); 5(th) quintile HR = 1.36 (1.15-1.62); ischemic stroke: 4(th) quintile HR =1.34 (1.09-1.66); 5(th) quintile HR = 1.53 (1.24-1.88)). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that serum non-HDLC level is an independent risk factor for total and ischemic stroke, and that higher serum non-HDLC concentrations are associated with increased risks for total stroke and ischemic stroke, but not for intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhage.