Cervical artery dissection in patients ≥60 years: Often painless, few mechanical triggers

Abstract

Objective: In a cohort of patients diagnosed with cervical artery dissection (CeAD), to determine the proportion of patients aged ≥60 years and compare the frequency of characteristics (presenting symptoms, risk factors, and outcome) in patients aged <60 vs ≥60 years.

Methods: We combined data from 3 large cohorts of consecutive patients diagnosed with CeAD (i.e., Cervical Artery Dissection and Ischemic Stroke Patients-Plus consortium). We dichotomized cases into 2 groups, age ≥60 and <60 years, and compared clinical characteristics, risk factors, vascular features, and 3-month outcome between the groups. First, we performed a combined analysis of pooled individual patient data. Secondary analyses were done within each cohort and across cohorts. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR [95% confidence interval]) were calculated.

Results: Among 2,391 patients diagnosed with CeAD, we identified 177 patients (7.4%) aged ≥60 years. In this age group, cervical pain (OR_adjusted 0.47 [0.33-0.66]), headache (OR_adjusted 0.58 [0.42-0.79]), mechanical trigger events (OR_adjusted 0.53 [0.36-0.77]), and migraine (OR_adjusted 0.58 [0.39-0.85]) were less frequent than in younger patients. In turn, hypercholesterolemia (OR_adjusted 1.52 [1.1-2.10]) and hypertension (OR_adjusted 3.08 [2.25-4.22]) were more frequent in older patients. Key differences between age groups were confirmed in secondary analyses. In multivariable, adjusted analyses, favorable outcome (i.e., modified Rankin Scale score 0-2) was less frequent in the older age group (OR_adjusted 0.45 [0.25, 0.83]).

Conclusion: In our study population of patients diagnosed with CeAD, 1 in 14 was aged ≥60 years. In these patients, pain and mechanical triggers might be missing, rendering the diagnosis more challenging and increasing the risk of missed CeAD diagnosis in older patients.