Waist-to-hip ratio predicts 10-year risk for ischemic stroke

Ten-year risk for ischemic stroke was predicted by a higher waist-to-hip ratio, according to data presented at the International Stroke Conference.

Hugo J. Aparicio, MD, MPH, assistant professor of neurology at Boston University School of Medicine, and colleagues analyzed data from 6,533 patients (mean age, 62 years; 54% women) from the Framingham Heart Study who did not have a stroke at the time of enrollment. Measurements taken includ BMI, waist circumference and hip circumference.

During a mean follow-up of 9.2 years, 3.7% incident ischemic stroke events occurred.

After adjusting for age and sex, the three measurements taken during the study were associated with an increased risk for stroke. Waist-to-hip ratio was associated with an increased risk for stroke after further adjustment for vascular risk factors often seen in patients with obesity.

Ten-year risk for ischemic stroke was predicted by a higher waist-to-hip ratio, according to data presented at the International Stroke Conference.

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The HR for each standard deviation increase in waist-to-hip ratio was 1.18 (95% CI, 1.02-1.37).

“Waist-to-hip ratio is a simple measure of abdominal obesity that should be used in future studies investigating weightloss interventions for stroke prevention,” Aparicio and colleagues wrote. – by Darlene Dobkowski

Reference:

Aparicio HJ, et al. Abstract TMP55/MP55. Presented at: International Stroke Conference; Feb. 6-8, 2019; Honolulu.

Disclosures: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.