title: A Family History of Stroke Is Associated with Increased Intima-Media Thickness in Young Ischemic Stroke - The Norwegian Stroke in the Young Study (NOR-SYS).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Positive family history (FH+) of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a risk factor for own CVD. We aimed to analyze the effect of different types of FH (stroke, coronary heart disease (CHD), peripheral artery disease (PAD) on carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in young and middle-aged ischemic stroke patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  First-degree FH of CVD was assessed in ischemic stroke patients ≤ 60y using a standardized interview. Carotid ultrasound was performed and far wall cIMT in three carotid artery segments was registered, representing the common carotid (CCA-IMT), carotid bifurcation (BIF-IMT) and the internal carotid artery (ICA-IMT). Measurements were compared between FH+ and FH negative groups and stepwise backward regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with increased cIMT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the study period 382 patients were enrolled, of which 262 (68%) were males and 233 (61%) reported FH of CVD. Regression analyses adjusting for risk factors revealed age as the most important predictor of cIMT in all segments. The association between FH+ and cIMT was modified by age (p = 0.014) and was significant only regarding ICA-IMT. FH+ was associated with increased ICA-IMT in patients aged < 45y (p = 0.001), but not in patients ≥ 45y (p = 0.083). The association with ICA-IMT was present for a FH of stroke (p = 0.034), but not a FH+ of CHD or PAD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FH of stroke is associated with higher ICA-IMT in young ischemic stroke patients. Subtyping of cardiovascular FH is important to investigate heredity in young ischemic stroke patients.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01597453.
authors: Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
authors: Halvor
authors: H
authors: Øygarden
authors: Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.|Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
authors: Annette
authors: A
authors: Fromm
authors: Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
authors: Kristin Modalsli
authors: KM
authors: Sand
authors: Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.|Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
authors: Christopher Elnan
authors: CE
authors: Kvistad
authors: Centre for Clinical Research, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.|Lifestyle Epidemiology Research Group, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
authors: Geir Egil
authors: GE
authors: Eide
authors: Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.|Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
authors: Lars
authors: L
authors: Thomassen
authors: Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.|Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
authors: Halvor
authors: H
authors: Naess
authors: Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.|Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
authors: Ulrike
authors: U
authors: Waje-Andreassen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications*; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult