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- Fiskesund, Roland, et al.
(author)
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Low levels of antibodies against phosphorylcholine predict development of stroke in a population-based study from northern Sweden
- 2010
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In: Stroke. - 0039-2499 .- 1524-4628. ; 41:4, s. 607-612
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Natural immunoglobulin M antibodies specific for phosphorylcholine (anti-PC) have been implicated in atherosclerosis. We have shown previously that high levels of anti-PC predict a slower progression of atherosclerosis in humans and that low levels of anti-PC are associated with higher risk for cardiovascular disease. Here we determine the association between anti-PC and the incidence of stroke. METHODS: Using a nested case control study design, we examined 227 incident cases (125 men and 102 women) of first-time stroke and 455 age- and sex-matched controls identified during a 13-year time period (1985 to 1999) within the population-based cohorts of the Västerbotten Intervention Project (VIP) and the World Health Organization Monitoring Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease (WHO MONICA) project in Northern Sweden. Odds ratios of stroke with 95% CIs with adjustments for age, gender, smoking, serum cholesterol, diabetes, body mass index, and blood pressure were determined. Anti-PC levels were measured using ELISA. RESULTS: A significant association between low levels of anti-PC at baseline and incident stroke was seen for the whole group of anti-PC levels below the 30th percentile (multivariately adjusted odds ratio, 1.62; CI, 1.11 to 2.35). Analyses of gender-specific associations indicated fairly strong associations for females, especially at the lowest 30th percentile (multivariately adjusted odds ratio, 2.65; CI, 1.41 to 4.95). No associations were noted for men. CONCLUSION: Low anti-PC is a novel independent risk marker for development of stroke. Measurements of anti-PC could be used to identify immunodeficient subjects at an increased risk for stroke. The possibility that such subjects might be targets for novel modes of treatment such as immunotherapies deserves further investigation.
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| 3. |
- Weinehall, Lars, 1948-, et al.
(author)
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High remaining risk in poorly treated hypertension : the "rule of halves" still exists
- 2002
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In: Journal of Hypertension. - : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. - 0263-6352 .- 1473-5598. ; 20:10, s. 2081-2088
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- To estimate risk factors for stroke, to examine how different categories of patients with increased blood pressure are associated with risk for first-ever stroke event, and to estimate the proportions of these categories in a geographically defined population in northern Sweden. Setting : The study was nested within the Vasterbotten Intervention Program and the Northern Sweden MONICA cohorts. Design and participants : A population-based cross-sectional study and an incident case-control study were carried out. The incident case-control study comprised 129 cases of first-ever stroke diagnosed during 1985-96, with two randomly selected controls per case, chosen from the same geographically defined population. The cross-sectional study was based on 59 735 participants. Blood pressure status was categorized as: normotensive [systolic blood pressure (SBP) <140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) <90 mmHg]; treated and adequately controlled hypertension (SBP <140 mmHg and DBP <90 mmHg); treated but poorly controlled hypertension (SBP >=140 mmHg or DBP >=90 mmHg, or both); untreated hypertension (SBP >=140 mmHg or DBP >=90 mmHg, or both); newly detected increased blood pressure (SBP >=140 mmHg or DBP >=90 mmHg, or both). Main outcome measure: Risk for first-ever stroke. Results: In the cross-sectional study, 68% of individuals were normotensive, 3% had treated and adequately controlled hypertension, 6% had treated but poorly controlled hypertension, 7% had untreated hypertension, and 16% had newly detected increased blood pressure. In univariate analysis of the case-control study, history of diabetes, daily smoking, obesity, increased blood pressure and the hypertension categories 'treated but poorly controlled' and 'untreated' were associated with an increased stroke risk. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, only diabetes and the hypertension categories treated but poorly controlled and untreated remained significant, with odds ratios 6.1 (95% confidence interval 2.4 to 15.3) and 4.3 (95% confidence interval 1.7 to 10.5), respectively. Only one of the 129 individuals who suffered stroke had treated and adequately controlled hypertension. Conclusions : The study illustrates the importance of adequate blood pressure control and, at the same time, that the vast majority in the population with increased blood pressure did not receive optimal care. Thus the 'rule of halves' still exists, and the high remaining risk in poorly treated hypertensive individuals in Sweden is remarkable and requires attention from the medical profession.
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