Stroke risk factors in couples. A population-based study in community-dwelling adults living in a remote rural setting (the Atahualpa Project)
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Published on: March 7, 2020
Oscar H Del Brutto1, Robertino M Mera2
1School of Medicine, Universidad Espíritu Santo - Ecuador, Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Purpose:
By the use of a population-based design, this study aimed to evaluate the presence of similar stroke risk factors in couples living in a remote rural setting (Atahualpa).
Methods:
Atahualpa residents aged ≥40 years were identified by means of door-to-door surveys, and those who signed a comprehensive consent form were enrolled in the Atahualpa Project. Baselines interviews and procedures, aimed to assess stroke risk factors, were collected at the time of admission in all participants.
Results:
We identified 268 couples among 898 individuals aged ≥40 years enrolled in the Atahualpa Project. Traditional risk factors were defined according to the American Heart Association criteria. Generalized estimating equations, adjusted for age, showed that being married to a spouse with poor physical activity (p = 0.027) and a poor diet (p < 0.001) were associated with the presence of these risk factors in the other partner.
Conclusions:
Intervention strategies directed to couples are needed to improve poor healthy styles leading to stroke in underserved populations.
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