Association of Metabolically Unhealthy but Normal Weight Individuals with Intracranial Atherosclerotic Stenosis

Abstract Background Obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are often co-existed and associated with an increased risk of stroke. But different metabolic types may have varying risks for cardiovascular diseases. We designed this study to explore the correlation between various metabolic types and Intracranial Atherosclerotic Stenosis (ICAS). Methods A total of 3 620 participants from the Asymptomatic Polyvascular Abnormalities Community (APAC) study were included at baseline and follow-up. Participants were categorized into six groups according to their body mass index (BMI) and MetS status. Logistic regression was employed to evaluate the correlation between various MetS phenotypes and Intracranial Atherosclerotic Stenosis (ICAS). Result At 2 years of follow-up, 2 526 participants completed the measurement of ICAS, and 282 were diagnosed. Compared with the metabolic healthy normal weight group, the MUH-NW group exhibited a significant association with the prevalence of ICAS (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07–2.65); but not for metabolically unhealthy normal weight (MUH-NW) (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 0.91–1.98) and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO) (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 0.82–2.24) group. Conclusion The present study suggested that MUH-NW individuals had a significant association with increased risk of ICAS compared with MH-NW individuals.