Risk factors of carotid stenosis in first-ever ischemic stroke in Taiwan: a hospital-based study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to identify the risk factors of extracranial carotid atherosclerosis in patients with first-ever ischemic stroke.


METHODS
A total of 541 consecutive first-ever ischemic stroke patients were enrolled in the present study. We examined clinical and laboratory factors that were potentially relevant to extracranial carotid artery atherosclerosis. The degree of carotid stenosis was diagnosed based on B-mode ultrasonography.


RESULTS
The sample contained 325 men and 216 women. Among these patients, 80% had a < 50% carotid stenosis and 20% had a > or = 50% carotid stenosis. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that age (odds ratio = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.06-1.11, P < 0.001) and smoking (odds ratio = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.17-3.54, P = 0.012) were significantly associated with > or = 50% carotid stenosis.


CONCLUSIONS
In the present study, age and smoking are found to be the independent risk factors for carotid atherosclerosis. The identification of these risk factors may improve our knowledge in the primary prevention of ischemic stroke in Taiwan.
Chang
Chien-Hung
CH
Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung University School of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Chang
Yeu-Jhy
YJ
Lee
Tsong-Hai
TH
Hsu
Kai-Cheng
KC
Ryu
Shan-Jin
SJ
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000209:etiology; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000209:etiology*; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology*