This article requires a subscription to view the full text. If you have a subscription you may use the login form below to view the article. Access to this article can also be purchased.
Abstract
Background: Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease, and leukocyte levels are associated with future risk of ischemic cardiac disease.
Objective: To investigate the hypothesis that relative elevations in leukocyte count in a stroke-free population predict future ischemic stroke (IS).
Methods: A population-based prospective cohort study was performed in a multiethnic urban population. Stroke-free community participants were identified by random-digit dialing. Leukocyte levels were measured at enrollment, and participants were followed annually for IS, myocardial infarction (MI), and cause-specific mortality. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for IS, MI, and vascular death after adjustment for medical, behavioral, and socioeconomic factors.
Results: Among 3,103 stroke-free community participants (mean age 69.2 ± 10.3 years) with baseline leukocyte levels measured, median follow-up was 5.2 years. After adjusting for stroke risk factors, each SD in leukocyte count (1.8 × 109 cells/L) was associated with an increased risk of IS (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.42), and IS, MI, or vascular death (HR 1.13, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.26). Compared with those in the lowest quartile of leukocyte count, those in the highest had an increased risk of IS (adjusted HR 1.75, 95% CI 1.08 to 2.82). The effect on atherosclerotic and cardioembolic stroke was greater than in other stroke subtypes.
Conclusion: Relative elevations in leukocyte count are independently associated with an increased risk of future ischemic stroke and other cardiovascular events.
AAN Members
We have changed the login procedure to improve access between AAN.com and the Neurology journals. If you are experiencing issues, please log out of AAN.com and clear history and cookies. (For instructions by browser, please click the instruction pages below). After clearing, choose preferred Journal and select login for AAN Members. You will be redirected to a login page where you can log in with your AAN ID number and password. When you are returned to the Journal, your name should appear at the top right of the page.
AAN Non-Member Subscribers
Purchase access
Letters: Rapid online correspondence
REQUIREMENTS
If you are uploading a letter concerning an article:
You must have updated your disclosures within six months: http://submit.neurology.org
Your co-authors must send a completed Publishing Agreement Form to Neurology Staff (not necessary for the lead/corresponding author as the form below will suffice) before you upload your comment.
If you are responding to a comment that was written about an article you originally authored:
You (and co-authors) do not need to fill out forms or check disclosures as author forms are still valid
and apply to letter.
Submission specifications:
- Submissions must be < 200 words with < 5 references. Reference 1 must be the article on which you are commenting.
- Submissions should not have more than 5 authors. (Exception: original author replies can include all original authors of the article)
- Submit only on articles published within 6 months of issue date.
- Do not be redundant. Read any comments already posted on the article prior to submission.
- Submitted comments are subject to editing and editor review prior to posting.
You May Also be Interested in
Use of Whole-Genome Sequencing for Mitochondrial Disease Diagnosis
Dr. Robert Pitceathly and Dr. William Macken
► Watch
Topics Discussed
Alert Me
Recommended articles
Association of cholesterol with stroke risk varies in stroke subtypes and patient subgroups
Lipid levels and the risk of ischemic stroke in women
Vegetarian diet and incidence of total, ischemic, and hemorrhagic stroke in 2 cohorts in Taiwan
Association of serum lipid indices with large artery atherosclerotic stroke