title: Prevalence of stroke risk factors and their outcomes. A population-based longitudinal epidemiological study.
abstract: This epidemiological study was performed to determine the prevalence of stroke risk factors and their outcomes among Bulgarian urban population. Volunteers, 200 men and 300 women, aged 50-79 years, without clinical signs and symptoms of vascular disease were enrolled in the study. A structured questionnaire, physical examination, ECG records and a battery of laboratory tests were employed. All volunteers underwent a carotid Duplex scan. High LDL-cholesterol levels, hypertension, obesity, cigarette smoking and cardiac diseases were the most prevalent risk factors. The annual incidence rate for TIA was 0.96% and for ischemic stroke -0.72%. Myocardial infarction incidence rate was 0.48%. Asymptomatic carotid stenosis (ACS) of 50% or greater was significantly related to the cerebral ischemic events (OR: 4.74; 95% CI 1.24-18.16). The aggregation of ACS and alcohol abuse was also significantly associated with cerebral ischemic events (OR: 5.04; 95% CI 1.29-19.63).
authors.affiliation: Thracian University, Medical Faculty, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: I C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Manchev
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Mineva
authors.forename: D I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Hadjiev
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002031:Bulgaria / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology*