Anticardiolipin antibodies are an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke

Our aim was to determine if anticardiolipin antibodies are an independent r isk factor for ischemic stroke and to determine their influence on stroke t ype and clinical outcome. We prospectively studied 194 consecutive patients with ischemic stroke admitted within 48 h of stroke. A control group consi sted of 100, age and sex matched, healthy individuals. Neurological and fun ctional status was assessed on admission, at 30 days, and at 1 year. Ige an ticardiolipin antibodies were significantly more frequent in stroke patient s (25.3%) than controls (6%, p < 0.05). A multivariate analysis suggested t hat anticardiolipin antibodies are an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke in addition to hypertension and atrial fibrillation (RR = 2.94, p < 0.05). Elevated IgG anticardiolipin antibodies were associated with cogniti ve impairment as measured by the Mini Mental State Examination at 30 days a nd at 1 year. IgG anticardiolipin antibodies did not correlate with stroke recurrence, or mortality at 30 days or 1 year.