Prevalence of Cerebral Microbleeds and Association With Vascular Risk Factors in a Hispanic and Latino American Cohort

Background The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence and number of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) in a Hispanic and Latino cohort from various self‐identified backgrounds and test associations with age, vascular risk factors, APOE (apolipoprotein E), and cognitive function. Methods The 3T brain magnetic resonance imaging exams were obtained on SOL‐INCA‐MRI (Study of Latinos‐Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging‐MRI) magnetic resonance imaging study participants, a community‐based study. CMB number was counted and categorized as: (1) any CMB, (2) lobar only, (3) deep only, (4) mixed, (5) deep+mixed, and (6) lobar+mixed. We examined whether prevalence of CMBs varied by age, sex, education, Hispanic background, cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, Framingham Risk Score), APOE genotype, and cognition. Results A total of 2455 participants were included who were 63.0±8.4 years of age, 67.9% women, and 62.2% high school education or higher. CMBs prevalence was 11.7% (8.3% lobar only, 2.0% deep only, 1.4% mixed locations). After adjusting for age, sex, and education, a high Framingham Risk Score was associated with the presence of CMBs of all types, except lobar only. Prevalent stroke/transient ischemic attack was associated with higher likelihood of deep‐only CMBs. For participants with cognitive impairment, the adjusted prevalence of mixed CMBs (2.2% versus 1.1%, P =0.023) and deep‐only+mixed CMBs (5.2% versus 3.1%, P =0.010) was significantly higher compared with cognitively normal. Cognitive impairment was significantly associated with higher total CMB count (rate ratio, 1.46 [95% CI, 1.14–1.87]; P =0.003). No significant associations were found between diabetes, APOE4, and any CMB type. Conclusions High vascular risk scores, self‐reported history of stroke/transient ischemic attack, and cognitive status were associated with a higher likelihood of CMBs, especially in deep regions.