Gender Differences in the Age-Stratified Prevalence of Risk Factors in Korean Ischemic Stroke Patients: A Nationwide Stroke Registry-Based Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Although ethnic or cultural differences affect prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, limited information is available about the age- and gender-stratified prevalence of the risk factors in Asian stroke population. AIMS AND HYPOTHESIS: We assessed gender- and age-stratified prevalences of major risk factors in Korean stroke patients, and assumed that the gender differences are attenuated by adjustment with lifestyle factors. METHODS: Using the nationwide hospital-based stroke registry, we identified 9417 ischemic stroke patients admitted between April 2008 and January 2011. Prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, atrial fibrillation, prior stroke, and coronary heart disease was assessed in both genders by age groups. We analyzed gender differences of the prevalence among the age groups by calculating prevalence ratio, and further explored the influence of lifestyle factors on the gender difference in multivariable analyses. RESULTS: Hypertension and hyperlipidemia were more common in men until middle age, but after that more common in women, whereas diabetes was more common in women after 65 years of age. Atrial fibrillation increased steadily with age in both genders but was more common in women through all age groups. Prior stroke and coronary heart disease showed inconsistent gender differences. Gender differences in hypertension and diabetes among the age groups were attenuated by adjustment with accompanying risk factors including lifestyle factors. CONCLUSION: Korean women with stroke had more hypertension and hyperlipidemia after middle age, more diabetes after 65 years, and more atrial fibrillation throughout all ages. Strategies to control risk factors in women at risk for stroke are eagerly needed.