Components of the Metabolic Syndrome and Risk for First-Ever Acute Ischemic Nonembolic Stroke in Elderly Subjects

Abstract

Background and Purpose— Metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) represents a constellation of lipid and nonlipid risk factors for cardiovascular disease and is a recognized target for increased behavioral therapy. Objective— The association between acute ischemic/nonembolic stroke and the MetSyn in elderly individuals was assessed in a population-based case-control study in the prefecture of Ioannina, Greece. Study Population— A total of 163 patients aged older than 70 years admitted with first-ever-in-a-lifetime acute ischemic/nonembolic stroke and 166 controls were included. Results— The prevalence of MetSyn (defined according to NCEP/ATP III criteria) was high in stroke patients (46.0% versus 15.7%, P P P =0.012), respectively. The analysis of interaction between MetSyn and its individual components revealed significant associations with abdominal obesity (adjusted OR, 2.74; 95% CI, 1.15 to 6.50; P =0.02), hypertension (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 0.91 to 4.49; P =0.08), high fasting glucose levels (OR, 2.95; 95% CI, 1.19 to 7.35; P =0.02), high triglyceride (OR, 5.55; 95% CI, 2.71 to 11.37; P P P Conclusions— MetSyn is associated with an increased risk for acute ischemic/nonembolic stroke in elderly subjects with significant contributions from its individual components. In the presence of MetSyn, HDL cholesterol loses its protective role against ischemic stroke.