title: APOE genotype and serum cholesterol in predicting risk for early death from ischemic stroke in men and women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We recently discovered that APOE epsilon3/epsilon4 genotype in men and APOE epsilon2/epsilon3 genotype in women are associated with increased risk of death from ischemic stroke (IS). One of the main physiological roles of apolipoprotein E is participation in cholesterol metabolism. A significant association of low serum cholesterol level with increased risk of death from stroke was documented. So, we aimed to establish if an association exists between APOE genotype, serum cholesterol and 1-month mortality in IS.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 666 patients (330 men, 336 women) with a diagnosis of IS. Total serum cholesterol (TC) was measured with the method of Abbott Spectrum (USA). APOE genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The highest frequency of low serum TC was associated with APOE epsilon2/epsilon3 genotype (both in men and in women). Low serum TC was associated with increased mortality rate only in women; this effect was evident only in females not possessing APOE epsilon2/epsilon3. Female patients with APOE epsilon2/epsilon3 genotype had high 1-month mortality rate independently from serum TC. In multiple regression analyses APOE epsilon3/epsilon4 genotype in men and APOE epsilon2/epsilon3 genotype in women predicted risk of death independently from serum TC and also from other potential pre- and post-stroke prognostic factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  APOE epsilon3/epsilon4 genotype in men and APOE epsilon2/epsilon3 in women are associated with increased 30-day mortality in stroke. This effect seems be independent from serum cholesterol.
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland. czlonkow@ipin.edu.pl
authors.forename: Grazyna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gromadzka
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barańska-Gieruszczak
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ciesielska
authors.forename: Iwona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sarzyńska-Dlugosz
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Członkowska
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D053329:Apolipoprotein E2; D053318:Apolipoprotein E3; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D020521:Stroke / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality*
chemical_list: D053329:Apolipoprotein E2; D053318:Apolipoprotein E3; D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D002784:Cholesterol