Risk factors for first-ever ischemic stroke: A hospital-based case-control study in Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Background: Numerous population-based epidemiological studies have shown the prevalence and strength of vascular risk factors for stroke but little is known about risk factors of stroke in Taiwan. The aim of this study was to identify vascular risk factors in a group of first-ever ischemic stroke patients in Taiwan. Methods: The study consisted of 228 consecutively hospitalized cases of first-ever ischemic stroke and 228 healthy age- and sex-matched control subjects. Conditional logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the risk factors. Results: Significant risk factors included hypertension (odds ratio [OR] 2.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.53-4.80), atrial fibrillation (OR 14.8, 95% CI = 2.32-94.73), ischemic heart disease (OR 4.4, 95% CI = 1.48-13.38), cigarette smoking (OR 2.3, 95% CI = 1.10-4.96), left ventricular hypertrophy (OR 2.7, 95% CI = 1.18-6.16), and other abnormal electrocardiographic findings (OR 2.1, 95% CI = 1.11-3.80). Conclusions: Several vascular risk factors of first-ever ischemic stroke were identified. A population-based study involving more vascular risk factors is needed for generalization.