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Historical risk factors for stroke: a case control study
D A Spriggs1, J M French, J M Murdy
1Department of Medicine (Geriatrics), University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Medical School.
Insights
Previous cerebrovascular disease, snoring, and prescribed medications are key risk factors for hospital admission due to stroke. Smoking and family history also contribute significantly to stroke risk.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Stroke remains a leading cause of hospital admission and long-term disability worldwide.
- Identifying modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors is crucial for effective stroke prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the specific risk factors associated with hospital admission for stroke.
- To quantify the odds of stroke associated with various historical and lifestyle factors.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study design was employed, recruiting 400 pairs of patients admitted with stroke and age- and sex-matched community controls.
- Data collection included historical medical factors, medication use, lifestyle habits (snoring, smoking), and family history.
Main Results:
- Preceding cerebrovascular disease demonstrated the strongest association with stroke admission (odds ratio 9.8).
- Other significant risk factors included regular snoring (odds ratio 3.2), taking prescribed medications (odds ratio 2.6), and smoking (odds ratio 1.7).
- Certain family history factors also emerged as significant contributors to stroke risk.
Conclusions:
- Cerebrovascular disease history, regular snoring, prescribed medication use, smoking, and specific family histories are significant risk factors for stroke.
- These findings underscore the importance of managing pre-existing vascular conditions and addressing lifestyle factors for stroke prevention.
- Public health initiatives should focus on awareness and intervention for these identified risk factors to reduce stroke incidence.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors for admission to hospital with stroke by means of a case-control study recruiting age- and sex-matched controls from the local community. Four hundred pairs of patients and controls were recruited. Of historical factors, preceding cerebrovascular disease contributed the greatest odds of stroke (odds ratio 9.8). Taking prescribed medicines (odds ratio 2.6), regular snoring (odds ratio 3.2), smoking (odds ratio 1.7) and some factors in the family history were also significant risk factors.