Racial-Ethnic Differences in Lacunar Infarction in a Multiethnic Stroke Population

A higher incidence of lacunar infarction (LI) has been reported in nonwhite stroke populations. This study examined racial-ethnic differences in the clinical presentation and imaging findings of a racially-ethnically diverse population with acute LIs. Patients with acute LIs were identified over a 3-year period. Baseline clinical characteristics, vascular risk factors, and magnetic resonance imaging findings were analyzed. Comparisons were made between African Americans, Caribbean blacks, Caribbean Hispanics, and non-Hispanic whites. During the study period, 1036 patients with ischemic stroke were admitted, 194 of whom (25%) had a LI. The proportion of LI was the highest in Caribbean blacks (40%) and lowest in non-Hispanic whites (7%), with African Americans (25%) and Caribbean Hispanics (22%) showing a similar frequency. The mean patient age was 62 +/- 12 years, and the study group was 55% male. Hypertension (92%) and dyslipidemia (74%) were the most frequent risk factors. The prevalence of hypertension was highest in African Americans and Caribbean blacks, whereas Caribbean Hispanics were more likely to smoke and have dyslipidemia. Despite similar vascular risk factors and a shared genealogy, the proportion of LI differed in African Americans and Caribbean blacks. Conversely, no difference in the prevalence of LI was seen in African Americans and Caribbean Hispanics, even though the 2 groups had differences in vascular risk factors. Our findings suggest that other determinants besides traditional vascular risk factors influence the risk of LI.