Prevalence and risk factors associated with stroke in middle-aged and older Chinese: A community-based...

Although the prevalence of stroke and its risk factors has been widely reported in some Western countries, information on essential stroke parameters is lacking in China, the most populous nation. A community-based cross-sectional study with 8,018 Chinese adults aged ≥40 years was used to determine the prevalence of stroke and associated risk factors. Within the screened population, the prevalence of stroke was 2.21% for both sexes, 1.60% for females, and 3.18% for males. Prevalence increased with age in both sexes (P < 0.0001). In a multivariable model, factors significantly associated with stroke were increasing age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.58-2.24), male gender (OR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.42-2.90), family history of stroke (OR = 4.33, 95% CI: 2.89-6.49), history of hyperlipidemia (OR = 1.87, 95% CI 1.31-2.68), history of hypertension (OR = 1.47, 95% CI 1.02-2.12), and physical inactivity (OR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.16-2.59). The findings indicate that stroke prevalence in middle-aged and older Chinese adults is higher in males than in females, and increases with age in both sexes. Population-based public health intervention programs and policies targeting hyperlipidemia and hypertension control and encouragement of physical activity should be highly prioritized for middle-aged and older adults in Shenzhen, China.