Components of the metabolic syndrome and risk for first-ever acute ischemic nonembolic stroke in elderly subjects

Stroke. 2005 Jul;36(7):1372-6. doi: 10.1161/01.STR.0000169935.35394.38. Epub 2005 Jun 2.

Abstract

Background and purpose: Metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) represents a constellation of lipid and nonlipid risk factors for cardiovascular disease and is a recognized target for increased behavioral therapy.

Objective: The association between acute ischemic/nonembolic stroke and the MetSyn in elderly individuals was assessed in a population-based case-control study in the prefecture of Ioannina, Greece.

Study population: A total of 163 patients aged older than 70 years admitted with first-ever-in-a-lifetime acute ischemic/nonembolic stroke and 166 controls were included.

Results: The prevalence of MetSyn (defined according to NCEP/ATP III criteria) was high in stroke patients (46.0% versus 15.7%, P<0.001). Compared with controls as a group (with and without MetSyn), stroke patients with the MetSyn showed higher concentrations of triglycerides, lipoprotein(a), uric acid, and fibrinogen, and lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I levels. In logistic regression analysis, crude and adjusted odd ratios (ORs) for MetSyn were 5.33 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.91 to 9.79; P<0.0001) and 2.59 (95% CI, 1.24 to 5.42; P=0.012), respectively. The analysis of interaction between MetSyn and its individual components revealed significant associations with abdominal obesity (adjusted OR, 2.74; 95% CI, 1.15 to 6.50; P=0.02), hypertension (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 0.91 to 4.49; P=0.08), high fasting glucose levels (OR, 2.95; 95% CI, 1.19 to 7.35; P=0.02), high triglyceride (OR, 5.55; 95% CI, 2.71 to 11.37; P<0.0001]), and low HDL cholesterol (OR, 5.42; 95% CI, 2.85 to 10.30; P<0.0001). Notably, in stroke patients with the MetSyn the inverse relationship between HDL cholesterol levels and ischemic stroke was negated (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.05; P<0.0001).

Conclusions: MetSyn is associated with an increased risk for acute ischemic/nonembolic stroke in elderly subjects with significant contributions from its individual components. In the presence of MetSyn, HDL cholesterol loses its protective role against ischemic stroke.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Apolipoprotein A-I / metabolism
  • Brain Ischemia / pathology*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cholesterol / metabolism
  • Cholesterol, HDL / metabolism
  • Diabetes Complications / pathology
  • Diabetes Mellitus / pathology
  • Female
  • Fibrinogen / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / pathology
  • Ischemia
  • Lipoprotein(a) / metabolism
  • Lipoproteins, HDL / metabolism
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Metabolic Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Metabolic Syndrome / pathology
  • Obesity / pathology
  • Odds Ratio
  • Regression Analysis
  • Risk Factors
  • Stroke / diagnosis*
  • Stroke / pathology
  • Triglycerides / metabolism
  • Uric Acid / metabolism

Substances

  • Apolipoprotein A-I
  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Lipoprotein(a)
  • Lipoproteins, HDL
  • Triglycerides
  • Uric Acid
  • Fibrinogen
  • Cholesterol