Feasibility of an affected sibling pair study in ischemic stroke: results of a 2-center family history registry.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to determine pedigree availability for a concordant sibling pair study of genetic risk factors in ischemic stroke.


METHODS
Probands with confirmed ischemic stroke were prospectively enrolled. Family histories were obtained by systematic interview. A study neurologist prospectively assigned stroke subtype.


RESULTS
Of 310 probands (median age, 75 years; range, 26 to 97 years; 48% women), 75% had at least 1 living sibling; 10%, at least 1 concordant living sibling; 2%, at least 1 concordant sibling living in the same city; and 7%, at least 1 concordant living and 1 discordant living sibling. Likelihood of having a concordant sibling increased significantly with proband age, even after adjustment for sibship size (P=0.002). Positive family history of stroke was not related to either proband stroke subtype or risk factor profile.


CONCLUSIONS
Approximately 10 probands were screened to find 1 potentially concordant living sibling. A concordant sibling pair study should be multicentered and enable enrollment of siblings from diverse geographic areas.
Meschia
J F
JF
Department of Neurology, Section of Pharmacology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla, USA.
Brown
R D
RD
Brott
T G
TG
Hardy
J
J
Atkinson
E J
EJ
O'Brien
P C
PC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005192:Family Health; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009679:Nuclear Family; D010375:Pedigree; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012042:Registries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*