The relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH)

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome (MetS), well-known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and ischemic stroke, would be associated with an increased incidence of spontaneous non-lesional intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) because of some pathophysiologic overlaps between stroke subtypes. The purpose of this study is to identify the associations between MetS components, cerebral infarctions and ICH volume. In this review, demographic and computed tomographic data describing five elements constituting MetS as well as hematoma volume were assessed in 829 spontaneous ICH patients over 10 consecutive years. The same data were also assessed from a control group. The incidence and average numbers of MetS components differed significantly between ICH and control group (p = 0.002, < 0.001). When ICH patients were divided into two groups based on whether they had MetS, the average number of MetS components was significantly different (p < 0.001). When the ICH group was divided into two groups based on whether the ICH was accompanied by cerebral infarction, the cerebral infarction group had significantly higher blood pressure, fasting glucose levels and triglyceride levels. When the ICH group was divided based on hematoma volume, there were no significant differences between groups. ICH patients presented more components of MetS than the control group, but detailed relationship between MetS and spontaneous ICH have yet to be completely understood. This study confirmed the association between ICH patients with cerebral infarction and individual MetS components, and therefore the authors strongly suggest controlling hypertension, and maintaining appropriate levels of blood sugar and triglyceride when treating high-risk patients.