Abstract WP545: White Matter Hyperintensity Burden and Quality of Life Following Lacunar Stroke: A Secondary Analysis of SPS3 Study

Abstract

Introduction: White matter hyperintensity (WMH) burden has been linked to cognitive impairment, but its effect on post-stroke quality of life has not been examined. Hypothesis: Larger WMH burden, measured by Fazekas score on MRI, will negatively impact quality of life post lacunar stroke in the Secondary Prevention of Small Subcortical Strokes (SPS3) trial. Methods: We evaluated patients from SPS3. The primary outcome was the stroke specific quality of life scale (ss-QoL) at baseline and study completion (mean follow-up 3.4 years). Results: There were 2804 patients with baseline ss-QoL and 2185 patients with ss-QoL at study completion. Mean age was 62.7 ± 10.7 years, 62% male, and 53.6% white. Higher Fazekas score had a negative impact on ss-QoL (Table 1), which persisted in a multivariate model (Table 2 & 3). On subgroup ss-QoL, Fazekas had a greater impact on self-care, mobility, productivity, upper extremity, family and social roles (Graph 1). Conclusion: Larger WMH burden negatively impacts quality of life following lacunar strokes. The negative effect is seen in specific quality of life categories.