Association of Monocytes and the Monocyte/high-density Lipoprotein Ratio With Intracranial and Extracranial Atherosclerotic Stenosis

Abstract Background and aims: Although the monocyte/high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR) has been shown to be a potential inflammatory marker of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, there are few studies on the relationship between intracranial and extracranial atherosclerotic stenosis degree and its distribution.Methods: A total of 271 patients were admitted for digital subtraction angiography (DSA) examination. (1) The non-stenosis group and the stenosis group were compared, and the artery was grouped according to the degree of intracranial and extracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (if ≥2 branches were stenotic, the artery with the most severe stenosis was used). (2) According to the locations of the intracranial and extracranial artery stenosis groups.clinical baseline data and laboratory indexes of each group of patients were collected.Results: (1) MHR (odds ratio (OR)=1.119, P<0.001), age (OR=1.057, P=0.007), and lymphocyte (OR=0.273, P=0.002) could significantly affect cerebral atherosclerotic stenosis, the AUC (area under the ROC curve) of MHR was 0.82, and the optimal diagnostic value was 0.486. Further analysis of the mild, moderate, and severe stenosis groups showed that MHR (OR=1.07, P<0.001) significantly affected the severity of stenosis in patients. (2) According to the analysis of stenosis at different sites, the rate of extracranial artery stenosis in patients who smoked (OR=3.86, P=0.023) and had a reduced lymphocyte level (OR=0.202, P=0.001) was significantly higher than that in patients who smoked (OR=3.86, P=0.023). With increasing age, the rate of extracranial and extracranial artery stenosis increased significantly. With the increase in MHR level, the stenosis rate of each group was significantly higher than that of the non-stenosis group.Conclusion: MHR has predictive value for the diagnosis of intracranial and extracranial atherosclerotic stenosis and is correlated with the degree and distribution of stenosis.