Association between white matter hyperintensity volume and social functioning limitations among stroke survivors

• Published in: Journal of stroke and cerebrovascular diseases 2022-10, Vol.31 (10), p.106720-106720, Article 106720
• Main Authors: Chang, Flora G., Rost, Natalia S., Manson, JoAnn E., Buring, Julie E., Rist, Pamela M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Humans; Leukoaraiosis - complications; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - adverse effects; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Social function; Social Interaction; Stroke; Stroke - etiology; Stroke outcomes; Survivors; Vitamin D; White Matter - diagnostic imaging; White Matter - pathology; White matter hyperintensity volume
• ISSN: 1052-3057; 1532-8511; 1532-8511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2022.106720

Existing literature on white matter hyperintensity volume (WMHV) in stroke patients has rarely focused on post-stroke outcomes related to social functioning limitations, such as transportation, social interaction, food preparation, grocery shopping, and housekeeping. Using prospective data from the VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL (VITAL) study, we evaluated the association between WMHV and social functioning limitations among 151 ischemic stroke patients. WMHV was ascertained from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) collected at the time of the stroke event using a validated semiautomated method, and social functioning limitations were assessed using a stroke outcomes questionnaire administered a median of 1.25 years after the date of the MRI scan. Logistic regression was used to explore the association between WMHV and social functioning limitations. After adjusting for age and sex, a statistically significant association was found between WMHV and limitations in social interaction (OR=2.82; 95% CI: 1.21-7.55). Increased risks were seen for limitations related to food preparation (OR=2.06; 95% CI: 0.99-4.54), transportation (OR=1.39; 95% CI: 0.85-2.27), and housekeeping (OR=1.37; 95% CI: 0.91-2.11); however, the associations did not reach statistical significance. We observed no association between WMHV and limitations in grocery shopping (OR=1.08; 95% CI: 0.61-1.89). Future studies are needed to further explore the biological mechanisms underlying the relationship with limitations in social interaction and to replicate our findings using a larger and more diverse study sample.