Influence of lung function and sleep-disordered breathing on stroke: a community-based study

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Pulmonology
• Neurology

Background:

• Impaired lung function is a known stroke risk factor in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.
• The link between reduced lung function and new stroke cases in community populations with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) was previously unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between lung function and incident stroke in a community-based population.
• To determine if SDB modifies this association.

Main Methods:

• Prospective analysis of the Sleep Heart Health Study cohort.
• Utilized home sleep testing and spirometry data from 2082 individuals with SDB and 2072 without SDB.
• Employed Cox proportional hazards regression to assess lung function's impact on stroke incidence.

Main Results:

• Over 11.7 years, 183 strokes occurred in participants without prior cardiovascular disease.
• Lung function was inversely associated with stroke risk in the general population.
• This association was significantly stronger in individuals with SDB, with reduced forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced vital capacity linked to higher stroke risk.

Conclusions:

• Reduced lung function is a significant risk factor for incident stroke, especially in individuals with SDB.
• Spirometry can enhance stroke risk assessment and management in primary care for community populations.