Abstract 1122‐000035: Is Age Critical in Determining Stroke Severity Within the Telestroke Network?

Introduction : Age is the single most important risk factor for stroke and an estimated 75% of all strokes occur in people >65 years of age. In addition, adults >75 years’ experience more hospitalization stays and higher mortality rates with an estimated 50% in the occurrence of all strokes. Several comorbidities have been linked to an increased risk and severity of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). How these factors differentially contribute to the severity of stroke in patients ages >65 and <75 as well as those ≥75 is not known. In this study, we aim to investigate how age, coupled with various clinical risk factors, affects AIS severity within these two age categories. Methods : This retrospective data analysis study was conducted using the data collected from the PRISMA Health Stroke Registry between 2010 and 2016. Baseline clinical and demographic data for patients ages >65 and <75 as well as those ≥75 was analyzed using univariate analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and multivariate regression models were used to examine the association of specific baseline risk factors or comorbidities associated with worsening or improving neurologic functions. The primary functions were risk factors associated with improving or worsening neurologic outcome in each age category. Results : Adjusted multivariate analysis showed that AIS population of patients >65 and <75 experiencing heart failure (OR = 4.398, 95% CI, 3.912 – 494.613, P = 0.002) and elevated HDL levels (OR = 1.066, 95% CI, 1.009 – 1.126, P = 0.024) trended towards worsening neurologic functions while patients experiencing obesity (OR = 0.177, 95% CI, 0.041 – 0.760, P = 0.020) exhibited improving neurologic functions. For the patients ≥75 years of age, direct admission (OR = 0.270, 95% CI, 0.085 – 0.856, P = 0.026) was associated with improvement of patients treated in the telestroke. Conclusions : Age is a strong risk factor for AIS, and aged stroke patients have higher morbidity and worsening functional recovery than younger patients. In this study, we observed differences in stroke risk factor profiles for >65 and <75 and ≥75 age categories. Heart failure and elevated HDL levels were significantly associated with worsening neurologic functions among AIS for patients aged >65 and <75. Obese patients and individuals ≥75 years who were directly admitted were most likely to exhibit improving neurologic functions. Most importantly, findings from this study reveal specific risk factors that can be managed to improve the care in older stroke patients treated in the telestroke network.

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Abstract WP236: The Urban-Rural Divide: Risk Factor Prevalence in Ischemic Stroke Patients Across Two Decades

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.51.suppl_1.wp236 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Dinesh V Jillella ◽

Sara Crawford ◽

Anne S Tang ◽

Rocio Lopez ◽

Ken Uchino

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Regression Models ◽

Stroke Risk ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Stroke Risk Factor ◽

Risk Factor Prevalence ◽

Urban Rural ◽

Artery Disease

Introduction: Regional disparities exist in stroke incidence and stroke related mortality in the United States. We aimed to elucidate the stroke risk factor prevalence trends based on urban versus rural location. Methods: From the National Inpatient Sample database the comorbid stroke risk factors were collected among hospitalized ischemic stroke patients during 2000-2016. Crude and age-and sex-standardized prevalence estimates were calculated for each risk factor during the time periods 2000-2008 and 2009-2016. We compared risk factor prevalence over the defined time periods using regression models, and differences in risk factor trends based on patient location categorized as urban (metropolitan with population of ≥ 1 million) and rural (neither micropolitan or metropolitan) using interaction terms in the regression models. Results: Stroke risk factor prevalence significantly increased from 2000-2008 to 2009-2016. When stratified based on patient location, most risk factors increased in both urban and rural groups. In the crude model, the urban to rural trend difference across 2000-08 and 2009-16 was significant in hypertension (p<0.0001), hyperlipidemia (p=0.0008), diabetes mellitus (p<0.0001), coronary artery disease (p<0.0001), smoking (p<0.0001) and alcohol (p=0.02). With age and sex standardization, the urban to rural trend difference was significant in hypertension (p<0.0001), hyperlipidemia (p=0.0007), coronary artery disease (p=0.01) and smoking (p<0.0001). Conclusion: The prevalence of vascular risk factors among ischemic stroke patients has increased over the last two decades. There exists an urban-rural divide, with rural patients showing larger increases in prevalence of several risk factors compared to urban patients.

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Abstract 78: Risk Factors Associated with Failure of Aggressive Medical Therapy in the SAMMPRIS Trial

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.45.suppl_1.78 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 45 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Michael F Waters ◽

Brian L Hoh ◽

Michael J Lynn ◽

Tanya N Turan ◽

Colin P Derdeyn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

High Risk ◽

Medical Therapy ◽

Primary Endpoint ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Baseline Risk ◽

Medical Group ◽

High Risk Patients ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Risk Patients

Background: The SAMMPRIS trial showed that aggressive medical therapy was more effective than stenting for preventing stroke in high-risk patients with symptomatic intracranial stenosis. However, 15% of patients in the medical group still had a primary endpoint (any stroke or death within 30 days of enrollment or stroke in the territory beyond 30 days) during a median follow-up of 32.7 months. We sought to determine baseline risk factors that were associated with a primary endpoint in the medical arm of SAMMPRIS. Methods: Data on 227 patients randomized to the medical group in SAMMPRIS were analyzed. Baseline demographic features, vascular risk factors, qualifying event, brain imaging and angiographic features were analyzed. The hazard ratio and p-value from a Cox proportional hazard regression model relating time until a primary endpoint to each factor were calculated. Results: Female gender, diabetes, stroke as the qualifying event (especially non-penetrator stroke), old infarct in the territory of the stenotic artery, and > 80% stenosis were associated (p < 0.10) with a higher risk of the primary endpoint on univariate analysis (see accompanying table) (multivariate analysis will be available by the time of ISC). Variables not associated with a higher risk of a primary endpoint in the medical arm included: age, race, antithrombotic therapy at the time of a qualifying event, time from qualifying event to enrollment (< 7 days vs. > 7 days), and location of stenosis. Conclusions: Several features were associated with an increased risk of the primary endpoint in the medical group in SAMMPRIS. On univariate analysis, the most important risk factors were an old infarct in the territory of the stenotic artery and stroke (especially non-penetrator stroke) as the qualifying event. These features will be useful for identifying particularly high-risk patients who should be targeted for future clinical trials testing alternative therapies to aggressive medical management.

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Analysis of risk factors and clinical characteristic of stroke patients admitted to the Department of Neurology, Medical University of Bialystok in 2016

Postępy Nauk Medycznych ◽

10.25121/pnm.2019.33.1.4 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 33 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Katarzyna Kapica-Topczewska ◽

Weronika Golec ◽

Joanna Kulikowska ◽

Jakub Izycki-Herman ◽

Adam Gryko ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Clinical Analysis ◽

Medical Documentation ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Stroke Risk Factor ◽

Hypertension Awareness ◽

Common Risk Factors ◽

Medical University ◽

Time Of Admission

Introduction. Stroke is the main cause of disability and the second leading cause of death worldwide. Over 60,000 cases of stroke are diagnosed in Poland each year. In the coming years, due to the aging of the population and the elevation of risk factor prevalence, a further increase in the incidence of stroke in Poland is expected. Aim. Investigation of demographic characteristics, clinical analysis and assessment of risk factors among the stroke patients hospitalized in the UMB Department of Neurology. Material and methods. The retrospective analysis included medical documentation of patients hospitalized due to a stroke in 2016. The neurological condition of patients was assessed at the time of admission and discharge using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Results. The medical documentation of 402 stroke patients, consisting of 55.47% women and 44.53% men was analyzed. Ischemic (IS) and haemorrhagic strokes (HS) accounted for 91.8 and 8% respectively. The average age of a stroke patient was 74.2 years (women 76.6, men 71.2). The most common risk factors were hypertension (78.6%), dyslipidemia (55.2%) and atrial fibrillation (25.6%). According to the NIHSS scale, 65% of patients received ≤ 5 while 1.8% ≥ 25 points. During hospitalization, the NIHSS clinical improvement was achieved in 71.9%, deterioration in 3.6% and no change was observed in 24.5% of patients. In-hospital mortality amounts to 7.5%. Conclusions. More than two thirds of patients had more than one stroke risk factor, from which the most common one is hypertension. Awareness of modifiable risk factors for stroke is essential for implementation of a secondary prevention.

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The Burden of Atrial Fibrillation as Stroke Risk Factor in Southeast Asia: A Systematic Review

Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics ◽

10.22270/jddt.v10i1.3818 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 131-134

Author(s):

Rizaldy Taslim Pinzon ◽

Niyata Hananta Karunawan

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Southeast Asia ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Stroke Risk Factor ◽

Comprehensive Search ◽

Stroke Epidemiology ◽

Published Research

Introduction Stroke is the most burden complication in a patient with atrial fibrillation. Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the common cardiac arrythmia in stroke patients. The epidemiology study of AF-associated stroke were limited published research in southeast. This study may prove valuable in routine clinical practice. This systematic review aimed to identify the latest evidence on the epidemiology of AF related stroke in southeast Asia regions. Methods: We performed a comprehensive search on prevalence or incidence of atrial fibrillation related stroke from inception up until September 2019 through PubMed and Cochrane Central Database. The keywords were the combination of the following words: “stroke”, “epidemiology”, “atrial fibrillation”, and was then used with the name of each country in southeast Asia”. The inclusion criteria of the study i.e : patients with stroke, was a original papers with observational study, concerned on AF in stroke patients in southeast Asia. Data on incidence and prevalence were obtained from hospital-based studies and community-based studies. Results: Atrial Fibrillation prevalence data are available in five countries in southeast Asia, a total of the 11 articles identified were from Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, and Indonesia were also represented. The reported prevalence of AF as a risk factor of stroke patients was 2.6 % until 23.04% based on hospital-based studies. Conclusion: AF is one of risk factors that associated with the stroke. This study also showed that prevalence AF in South East Asia ranged 2.6 – 23.04 % . However, owing to the limited number of studies in southeast Asian countries, further investigation is needed before drawing a definite true of prevalence of AF in the southeast Asia population. Keywords: Atrial Fibrillation, AF-associated Stroke, Epidemiology, Risk Factors.

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Potential relation of cardiovascular risk factors to disease activity in patients with axial spondyloarthritis

Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease ◽

10.1177/1759720x211033755 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 ◽

pp. 1759720X2110337

Author(s):

Iván Ferraz-Amaro ◽

Javier Rueda-Gotor ◽

Fernanda Genre ◽

Alfonso Corrales ◽

Ricardo Blanco ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Ankylosing Spondylitis ◽

Disease Activity ◽

Axial Spondyloarthritis ◽

Multivariable Analysis ◽

Activity Score ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Activity Measurements ◽

Beta Coefficient

Background: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) patients are known to have a higher prevalence of several comorbidities, including, among others, an increased risk of atherosclerosis, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the sum of traditional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors is related to disease characteristics, such as disease activity, in patients with axSpA. Methods: A cross-sectional study that encompassed 804 patients with axSpA was conducted. Patients were assessed for the presence of five traditional CV risk factors (diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity, and smoking status), and disease activity measurements. A multivariable regression analysis was performed to evaluate whether the number of classic CV risk factors was independently associated with specific features of the disease, to include disease activity. Results: A multivariable analysis showed that Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score–C reactive protein (ASDAS-CRP) activity score was significantly higher in patients with 1 [beta coefficient 0.3 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.1–0.5), p = 0.001] and ⩾2 [beta coefficient 0.5 (95% CI 0.3–0.7), p = 0.000] CV risk factors compared with those without CV risk factors. Similarly, patients with 1 [OR 2.00 (95%CI 0.99–4.02), p = 0.053] and ⩾2 [OR 3.39 (95%CI 1.82–6.31), p = 0.000] CV risk factors had a higher odds ratio for the presence of high disease activity compared with the zero CV category. The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) activity score was significantly associated with the number of CV risk factors, being higher in patients with more CV risk factors. These relationships showed a CV risk factor-dependent effect being beta coefficients and ORs higher for the effect of ⩾2 over 1 CV risk factor. Conclusion: Among patients with axSpA, as the number of traditional CV risk factors increased, disease activity similarly increases in an independent manner.

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Greater cardiorespiratory fitness reduces incidence of atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis

European Journal of Preventive Cardiology ◽

10.1093/eurjpc/zwab061.200 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 28 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

C Verdicchio ◽

A Elliott ◽

R Mahajan ◽

D Linz ◽

D Lau ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Exercise Stress ◽

Inverse Association ◽

Exercise Interventions ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Statistical Heterogeneity

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia affecting 1-2% of the global population, with the prevalence of AF increasing dramatically over the past two decades. Although low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and physical activity are predictive of cardiovascular disease onset and mortality, only recently has this emerged as a potential risk factor for AF. Purpose The aim of this meta-analysis was therefore to quantify the relationship between CRF, measured by a symptom limited exercise stress test, and incident AF. We hypothesised that there would be an inverse relationship between CRF and the incidence of AF. Methods The systematic literature review was conducted using PUBMED, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases, with seven studies meeting the inclusion criteria. A random-effects meta-analysis was then used to compare the multivariate risk estimates of the lowest CRF group from each cohort with the group of the highest CRF. Results Data from 206,925 individuals (55.8% males) was used for analysis with a mean age of 55 ± 2.5 years and a mean follow-up period of 10.3 ± 5 years. The total number of AF events across the studies was 19,913. The overall pooled risk of AF in the high-CRF group versus the low-CRF group showed a significant lower risk of incident AF in those with high-CRF (OR: 0.52, 95% CI, 0.44-0.605, p < 0.001). There was evidence of statistical heterogeneity between the studies (I2 = 81%, p < 0.001). AF incidence rates demonstrated an overall decline in rates across the CRF quartiles from low to high. The mean incidence rate for low-CRF was 21 ± 13.4 compared to 6.9 ± 0.7 per 1000 person-years for the high CRF group (p = 0.03). Conclusion There is an inverse association between a lower CRF and an increased risk of AF, with a higher level of CRF protective against AF. This study highlights that low-CRF may be an additional risk factor for AF along with already other established lifestyle-based risk factors such as obesity and hypertension. Exercise interventions should be promoted as a primary prevention strategy in those at risk of developing AF with known risk factors. Future studies are warranted to identify the mechanism(s) through which improved CRF confers a reduction in AF incidence. Abstract Figure. AF risk between high and low-CRF

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The Role of Obesity in Motor Vehicle Injuries and Fatalities in the Pediatric Population: A Systematic Review

Journal of Intensive Care Medicine ◽

10.1177/0885066621992738 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 088506662199273

Author(s):

Zana Alattar ◽

Shelby Hoebee ◽

Eyal Ron ◽

Paul Kang ◽

Eric vanSonnenberg

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Motor Vehicle ◽

Pediatric Population ◽

Extremity Injury ◽

Obese Children ◽

Patients Âgés ◽

Vehicle Accidents ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Extremity Injuries

Purpose: A systematic review done to evaluate obesity as a risk factor for injuries and mortality in motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) in the pediatric population, as there has not been a systematic review done in over 10 years. This study aims to update the literature regarding obesity as a risk factor for injuries in MVAs in the pediatric population. Materials and Methods: A systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines with strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, resulting in the use of 3 total articles to analyze obesity as a risk factor for overall injury and mortality in the pediatric population. Results: Zaveri et al demonstrated a statistically significant, but weak, decrease in the odds of extremity injury in overweight patients ages 2 to 17 years old (odds ratio [OR] = 0.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.4-1.0, P ≤ 0.05). On the other hand, Pollack et al and Haricharan et al found an increase in extremity injury in the obese population, in ages 9 to 15 years (OR = 2.54, 95% CI = 1.15-5.59, P ≤ 0.05), and 10 to 17 years (Age 10-13: OR = 6.06, 95% CI = 2.23-16.44, P ≤ 0.05, Age 14-17 OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.04-2.00, P ≤ 0.05), respectively. Haricharan et al also found an increase in thoracic injuries in obese children, ages 2 to 13 and increased risk of head/face/neck injury in obese children ages 2 to 5 (OR = 3.67, 95% CI = 1.03-13.08, P ≤ 0.05), but a decreased risk of head injury in obese children ages 14 to 17 (OR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.18-0.60, P ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: There are sparse data that are conflicting, regarding the effect of obesity on extremity injuries in the pediatric population. Obesity is not protective against thoracic, head, or abdominal injuries. However, it was found to be a risk factor for trunk injuries in ages 2 to 13, as well as head/face/neck injuries for ages 2 to 5. Since the literature is so sparse, further research is warranted in these areas.

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Prevalence and outcome of young stroke patients with middle cerebral artery stenosis

BMC Neurology ◽

10.1186/s12883-021-02125-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Wenjuan Xu ◽

Xiaoyu Zhang ◽

Huan Chen ◽

Zhangning Zhao ◽

Meijia Zhu

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Factor Score ◽

Unfavorable Outcome ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Young Stroke ◽

Stroke In Young Adults ◽

Risk Factor Score ◽

Stroke In Young

Abstract Background Etiologies of acute ischemic stroke in young adults are heterogeneous. Middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis is a common finding in Asians which may be an important cause of stroke in young adults. However, studies of stroke in young Asian populations are rare. Our study was to investigate the prevalence and outcome of young stroke patients with MCA stenosis in Chinese populations. Methods Young patients with MCA territory infarction between January 2013 and September 2018 were retrospectively recruited. Subjects were defined as stenosis group (MCA stenosis ≥50%) and no-stenosis group (MCA stenosis<50% or no stenosis) by their MCA stenosis. For patients in stenosis group, they were categorized as uni-MCA stenosis subgroup and multiple stenosis subgroup. Demographic data, risk factors, imaging feature and complications were compared between groups. Prevalence of MCA stenosis and risk factor score (score ≥ 2 or 3) in different age groups were investigated. Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was used for evaluating functional outcome at discharge (unfavorable outcome: 3–6). Binary logistic regression was performed to determine independent risk factors of unfavorable outcome. Results Two hundred forty-nine young stroke patients were included in our study and 110 (44.2%) patients were defined as stenosis group. 55 (50%) patients were categorized as uni-MCA stenosis subgroup and 55 (50%) were multiple stenosis subgroup. The most common traditional vascular risk factors included hypertension, hyperlipemia, smoking, hyperhomocysteinemia and alcohol consumption. Prevalence of risk factor score ≥ 2 or 3 increased with age, but not incidence of MCA stenosis. By TOAST classification, the most common etiologies were large-artery atherosclerosis (41.0%) and small vessel disease (33.7%). Compared with no-stenosis group, patients in stenosis group were more likely to have large territorial infarct, develop complications and have unfavorable outcome. No significant difference was found between patients in uni-MCA stenosis and multiple stenosis subgroups except history of stroke/TIA, risk factor score ≥ 3 and silent infarct. By logistic regression, hypertension (OR = 3.561; 95%CI, 1.494 to 8.492; p = 0.004), NIHSS scores at admission (OR = 1.438; 95%CI, 1.276 to 1.620; p = 0,000) and infarct size (p = 0.015) independently predicted unfavorable outcome. Conclusions Forty-four point two percent young Chinese adults with MCA territory infarction had MCA stenosis. Prevalence of MCA stenosis did not increase with age. Patients with MCA stenosis had worse clinical outcome, however, only hypertension, NIHSS scores at admission and infarct size were independent predictors.

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Combining Carcinoembryonic Antigen and Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio to Predict Brain Metastasis of Resected Lung Adenocarcinoma Patients

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2017/8076384 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Wei Wang ◽

Chao Bian ◽

Di Xia ◽

Jin-Xi He ◽

Ping Hai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Brain Metastasis ◽

Lung Adenocarcinoma ◽

Carcinoembryonic Antigen ◽

Roc Curve ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Platelet To Lymphocyte Ratio ◽

Lymphocyte Ratio ◽

Increased Risk

We aimed to evaluate the role of pretreatment carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in predicting brain metastasis after radical surgery for lung adenocarcinoma patients. The records of 103 patients with completely resected lung adenocarcinoma between 2013 and 2014 were reviewed. Clinicopathologic characteristics of these patients were assessed in the Cox proportional hazards regression model. Brain metastasis occurred in 12 patients (11.6%). On univariate analysis, N2 stage (P = 0.013), stage III (P = 0.016), increased CEA level (P = 0.006), and higher PLR value (P = 0.020) before treatment were associated with an increased risk of developing brain metastasis. In multivariate model analysis, CEA above 5.2 ng/mL (P = 0.014) and PLR ≥ 120 (P = 0.036) remained as the risk factors for brain metastasis. The combination of CEA and PLR was superior to CEA or PLR alone in predicting brain metastasis according to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis (area under ROC curve, AUC 0.872 versus 0.784 versus 0.704). Pretreatment CEA and PLR are independent and significant risk factors for occurrence of brain metastasis in resected lung adenocarcinoma patients. Combining these two factors may improve the predictability of brain metastasis.

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Abstract T P136: Potential Contributors to the Declining Impact of Stroke Risk Factors with Age: Implications for Stroke Epidemiology in the Elderly

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.45.suppl_1.tp136 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 45 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

George Howard ◽

Mary Cushman ◽

Maciej Banach ◽

Brett M Kissela ◽

David C Goff ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Stroke Risk ◽

Multivariable Analysis ◽

The Elderly ◽

Stroke Risk Factors ◽

Age Related ◽

Increased Risk ◽

The Impact ◽

Age Related Changes

Purpose: The importance of stroke research in the elderly is increasing as America is “graying.” For most risk factors for most diseases (including stroke), the magnitude of association with incident events decreases at older ages. Potential changes in the impact of risk factors could be a “true” effect, or could be due to methodological issues such as age-related changes in residual confounding. Methods: REGARDS followed 27,748 stroke-free participants age 45 and over for an average of 5.3 years, during which 715 incident strokes occurred. The association of the “Framingham” risk factors (hypertension [HTN], diabetes, smoking, AFib, LVH and heart disease) with incident stroke risk was assessed in age strata of 45-64 (Young), 65-74 (Middle), and 75+ (Old). For those with and without an “index” risk factor (e.g., HTN), the average number of “other” risk factors was calculated. Results: With the exception of AFib, there was a monotonic decrease in the magnitude of the impact across the age strata, with HTN, diabetes, smoking and LVH even becoming non-significant in the elderly (Figure 1). However, for most factors, the increasing prevalence of other risk factors with age impacts primarily those with the index risk factor absent (Figure 2, example HTN as the “index” risk factor). Discussion: The impact of stroke risk factors substantially declined at older ages. However, this decrease is partially attributable to increases in the prevalence of other risk factors among those without the index risk factor, as there was little change in the prevalence of other risk factors in those with the index risk factor. Hence, the impact of the index risk factor is attenuated by increased risk in the comparison group. If this phenomenon is active with latent risk factors, estimates from multivariable analysis will also decrease with age. A deeper understanding of age-related changes in the impact of risk factors is needed.

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