Risk factor for ischemic stoke in m older persons in an academic hospital based geriatrics practice

We performed a retrospective analysis of charts investigating risk factors for ischemic stroke in 467 men (mean age 80±8 years) and 1444 women (mean age 81 ±8 years) seen in an academic geriatrics practice. Ischemic stroke was present in 126 of 467 men (27%) and in 296 of 1444 women (20%) (p=0.003). Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that significant independent risk factors for ischemic stroke were age (p=0.005 in men and 0.010 in women, odds ratio= 1.04 in men and 1.03 in women); cigarette smoking (p=0.006, odds ratio = 1.7 in women); hypertension (p < 0.001 in men and women, odds ratio=4.6 in men and 3.9 in women); diabetes mellitus (p=0.018 in men and <0.001 in women, odds ratio= 1.9 in men and 2.0 in women); serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.001 in men and women, odds ratio= 1.02 in men and 1.01 in women); and serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol (p <0.001, odds ratio =0.97 in women). Significant independent risk factors for ischemic stroke in both sexes were: age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and serum low density cholesterol; and in older women: cigarette smoking and serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol (inverse association). (C) 2000 by CHF, Inc.