title: Feasibility of an affected sibling pair study in ischemic stroke: results of a 2-center family history registry.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Section of Pharmacology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla, USA.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Meschia
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: T G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Brott
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hardy
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Atkinson
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: O'Brien
mesh_terms: 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*