Table 1 Comparison of Baseline Characteristics and Laboratory Findings among Three Groups

Age (y) (mean ± SD),

63.7 ± 11.2

66.7 ± 11.2

64.1 ± 6.0

0.134

Male, % (n)

65.0% (52)

67.5% (54)

65.0% (39)

0.932

Hypertension, % (n)

65% (52)

75% (60)

-

0.168

Diabetes mellitus, % (n)

38.8% (31)

32.5% (26)

-

0.409

Current smoking, % (n)

37.5% (30)

27.5% (22)

-

0.177

Previous stroke by history, % (n)

25% (20)

21.3% (17)

-

0.708

Previous stroke by MRI, % (n)

62.5% (50)

57.5% (46)

-

0.628

Old myocardial infarction, % (n)

8.8% (7)

6.3% (5)

-

0.781

RBC count (x10⁶/uL)

4.75 ± 0.68

4.71 ± 0.65

4.81 ± 0.64

0.561

Hemoglobin (g/dL)

14.0 ± 2.0

14.2 ± 1.7

14.1 ± 1.6

0.963

Hematocrit (%)

41.3 ± 5.8

41.4 ± 6.1

40.9 ± 6.1

0.877

WBC count (x10³/uL)

7.88 ± 2.41^a

7.83 ± 2.31^a

5.91 ± 1.84^b

< 0.001

Total cholesterol level (mg/dL)

185.4 ± 41.0

189.0 ± 39.5

193.3 ± 36.4

0.504

HDL (mg/dL)

44.6 ± 10.9^a

49.2 ± 17.7^a

53.8 ± 14.8^b

0.001

LDL (mg/dL)

115.2 ± 35.8

113.8 ± 36.1

117.2 ± 30.9

0.853

Creatinine (mg/dL)

1.01 ± 0.39

1.02 ± 0.43

1.01 ± 0.24

0.914

HS-CRP at 48 h

5.11 ± 8.79^a

4.87 ± 7.24^a

0.99 ± 1.11^b

< 0.001

BMI (kg/m²)

25.2 ± 3.5

24.3 ± 3.9

24.7 ± 3.1

0.254

HbA_1C level, %

6.90 ± 1.84

6.73 ± 1.85

-

0.565

SBP (mm Hg)

144 ± 20^a

143 ± 21^a

136 ± 18^b

0.024

DBP (mm Hg)

85 ± 12^a

83 ± 11^a

80 ± 11^b

0.041

Significant ECCA stenosis, % (n)

25% (20)

17.5% (14)

-

0.246

Statin therapy

42.5% (34)

45% (36)

-

0.750

ACEI/ARB therapy

41.3% (33)

38.8% (31)

-

0.747

EPO therapy-related adverse events

   Allergy

0% (0)

-

-

-

   Polycythemia

0% (0)

-

-

-

   Thrombosis event

0% (0)

-

-

-

   HS-CRP at day 21

2.95 ± 4.35

2.78 ± 2.95

-

0.991