BACKGROUND: Geographical differences in stroke mortality are not fully explained by population variations in blood pressure and antihypertensive treatment. Some studies have suggested that factors connected with health and nutrition in early life may be related to stroke morbidity and mortality. Body height is a sensitive marker for socioeconomic conditions, but results are conflicting as to whether height is associated with stroke. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a population-based study, we investigated stroke incidence in relation to height and classic cardiovascular risk factors. A total of 13,266 men and women 35 to 52 years of age were followed for 14 years, and 241 first events of stroke were registered. Stroke incidence was 36% higher in men. Height was inversely related to stroke in a dose-response manner. Per 5-cm increase in height, the age-adjusted risk of stroke was 25% lower in women (P < .0001) and 18% lower in men (P = .0007). Systolic blood pressure and daily smoking were positively associated with stroke in both sexes, while serum triglyceride level was a significant risk factor in women only (relative risk per 1 mmol/L, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1 to 1.5). The associations remained after adjustment for possible confounders and were also observed in certain subtypes of stroke. CONCLUSIONS: The results are consistent with the theory that factors influencing early growth as well as adult lifestyle factors contribute to cerebrovascular disease in adult age.
BACKGROUND: Geographical differences in stroke mortality are not fully explained by population variations in blood pressure and antihypertensive treatment. Some studies have suggested that factors connected with health and nutrition in early life may be related to stroke morbidity and mortality. Body height is a sensitive marker for socioeconomic conditions, but results are conflicting as to whether height is associated with stroke. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a population-based study, we investigated stroke incidence in relation to height and classic cardiovascular risk factors. A total of 13,266 men and women 35 to 52 years of age were followed for 14 years, and 241 first events of stroke were registered. Stroke incidence was 36% higher in men. Height was inversely related to stroke in a dose-response manner. Per 5-cm increase in height, the age-adjusted risk of stroke was 25% lower in women (P < .0001) and 18% lower in men (P = .0007). Systolic blood pressure and daily smoking were positively associated with stroke in both sexes, while serum triglyceride level was a significant risk factor in women only (relative risk per 1 mmol/L, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1 to 1.5). The associations remained after adjustment for possible confounders and were also observed in certain subtypes of stroke. CONCLUSIONS: The results are consistent with the theory that factors influencing early growth as well as adult lifestyle factors contribute to cerebrovascular disease in adult age.
Authors: Martin Horan; Vicky Newsway; Mark D Lewis; Tammy E Easter; D Aled Rees; Arti Mahto; David S Millar; Annie M Procter; Maurice F Scanlon; Ian B Wilkinson; Ian P Hall; Amanda Wheatley; John Blakey; Philip M W Bath; John R Cockcroft; Michael Krawczak; David N Cooper Journal: Hum Genet Date: 2006-03-30 Impact factor: 4.132
Authors: G Davey Smith; C Hart; M Upton; D Hole; C Gillis; G Watt; V Hawthorne Journal: J Epidemiol Community Health Date: 2000-02 Impact factor: 3.710
Authors: Krassen Nedeltchev; Marcel Arnold; Ralf Baumgartner; Gerald Devuyst; Paul Erne; Daniel Hayoz; Roman Sztajzel; Barbara Tettenborn; Heinrich P Mattle Journal: J Neurol Date: 2005-04-15 Impact factor: 4.849
Authors: Lindsay G Smith; Hiroshi Yatsuya; Bruce M Psaty; W T Longstreth; Aaron R Folsom Journal: J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis Date: 2011-12-15 Impact factor: 2.136