A positive relation between high hemoglobin values and the risk of ischemic stroke. Progetto 3A Investigators.
We examined the relationship between the hemoglobin concentration and the risk of ischemic stroke using data from a hospital-based case-control study. A total of 143 patients (age 30-69 years) with a diagnosis of cerebral infarction confirmed by computerized tomography scan and 143 age- and sex-matched controls entered the study. Hemoglobin was higher in the patients with stroke (14.2 +/- 1.6 g/l, mean +/- SD) than in controls (13.7 +/- 1.6 g/l; p < 0.05). Compared with subjects with hemoglobin levels of less than 13 g/l (reference category), the relative risk of ischemic stroke, after allowance for potential risk factors, was 2.0 (95% CI 0.8-4.9) for the 13-13.9 g/l quartile, 2.8 (95% CI 1.2-6.5) for the 14-14.9 g/l quartile, and 3.2 (95% CI 1.4-7.4) for the 14 + g/l quartile (chi 2 for linear trend 7.27, p < 0.01). We conclude that the hemoglobin concentration may be an indicator of risk for ischemic stroke.
Di Mascio
R
R
Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology, Consorzio Mario Negri Sud, Chieti, Italy.
Marchioli
R
R
Vitullo
F
F
Tognoni
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006452:Hemoglobinometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed