[Prospective study on associations between levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride and risk of ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes].

OBJECTIVE: To explore associations between levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and incidence of ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes in populations. METHODS: Baseline investigations on stroke-related risk factors and physical examinations were performed in 10 093 (> 35 years) stroke-free urban community residents from 5 cities in China during May to July in 1987, follow-up investigations on stroke events were made during 1998 to 2000. The hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes in middle, high tertiles of baseline TC or TG levels were compared with low baseline tertile residents using the Cox regression model. RESULTS: There were 491 first strokes during the 8-years cohort follow-up. Compared with the low tertile, risk of ischemic stroke in the middle and high tertiles of TC level was increased by 61% (HR: 1.61, 95%CI: 1.14-2.27) and 58% (HR: 1.58, 95%CI: 1.12-2.22) after adjustments for DBP, age, sex and other variables in the Cox proportional hazards model. Compared with the low tertile, risk of ischemic stroke in the high tertile of TG level was increased by 43% (HR: 1.43, 95%CI: 1.02-2.00). However, risk of hemorrhagic stroke in the middle and high tertiles of TC level decreased by 12% (HR: 0.88, 95%CI: 0.64-1.22) and 33% (HR: 0.67, 95%CI: 0.48-0.95) compared with the low tertile. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated serum TC and TG are independent risk factors for risk of ischemic stroke. However, low TC was related with increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke.

[Study on the diagnosis, treatment and requirement of epilepsy patients in urban communities].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnosis,treatment and requirement of epilepsy patients in some urban communities in China, and to provide the evidence of searching for effective treatment and management on epilepsy under the China's context. METHODS: A face-to-face survey were conducted in 3 urban communities in Shanghai, Beijing and Changsha, respectively. The questions in the questionniare were general information, hospital visit, treatment, the level and way of getting on the knowledge of epilepsy, as well as the current obstacles and needs. RESULTS: Most of the patients selected the regular hospitals (90.8%) and the departments (92.3%) for their epielspy diagnosis and treatment. They used AEDs modo dictu (77.4%), and had controlled the seizures quite well (82.6%). A small part of patients still could not deeply understand the basic knowledge on epilepsy (13.5%). They ignored to follow up the drug concentration (45.8%) in blood and the blood biocheminstry indicators (43.9%). Some patients went to private clinics (12.9%) and used lay people remedies (7.7%). Longtime waiting (36.8%), inconvenient traffic (23.2%), and high expenses (22.6%) were the main problems influencing the timely treatment. The main obstacles of the patients were employment (47.2%), marriage (29.9%), psychological conditions (44.4%) and interpersonal relationship (29.9%). The main requirements were the effectiveness (87.0%) and cheap AEDs (40.9%) as well as the convenience of hospital visit (37.0%). CONCLUSION: It is very important to emphasize knowledge and publicity/education on epilepsy as well as the psychological treatment according to the requirements of patients.

Subtype hypertension and risk of stroke in middle-aged and older Chinese: a 10-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Hypertension is the most important indicator of stroke. We aim to compare the long-term effects of the subtypes of hypertension on the risk of stroke in a Chinese cohort. METHODS: A total of 26,587 subjects > or =35 years of age and free of stroke were recruited in 5 cities in 1987. The subtypes of hypertension were defined as isolated systolic hypertension (ISH), isolated diastolic hypertension (IDH), systolic and diastolic hypertension (SDH), as well as managed hypertension (MHT), according to the criteria of systolic blood pressure > or =140 or diastolic blood pressure >90 mm Hg or under antihypertensive treatment. The relative risks of stroke with the subtypes of hypertension, compared with normotensives, were estimated using the Cox model after adjustments for age, sex, and other confounders. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension was: ISH 7.1%, SDH 18.4%, IDH 6.7%, and MHT 3.9%. During a total of 233 437 person years of follow-up, 1107 subjects developed stroke (614 ischemic and 451 hemorrhagic events and 42 unclassified). SDH patients were at the highest risk of stroke among all the hypertensives. The hazard ratio and 95% CI was 2.96 (2.49 to 3.52) for all stroke, 4.05 (3.10 to 5.30) for hemorrhagic, and 2.33 (1.84 to 2.95) for ischemic stroke. Although the incidence of stroke was higher in the older population, the effect of hypertension, especially SDH, on hemorrhagic stroke is stronger in the middle-aged population. CONCLUSIONS: ISH and IDH are similarly prevalent in the population; both are independent predictors of stroke. Patients with SDH are at the highest risk of stroke and should be treated more aggressively.

[Community intervention on hypertension and stroke].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the community-based intervention on reduction of hypertension and stroke in different age groups and subtypes hypertension. METHODS: In 6 cities, 2 geographically separated communities with a registered population about 10 000 of each were selected as either intervention or control communities. A cohort containing 2 700 subjects, 35 years or older, and free of stroke were sampled from each community. The baseline survey was conducted to screen the subjects for intervention. In each city, a program for control of hypertension, heart diseases and diabetes was initiated in the intervention cohort and health education was provided to the whole intervention community. A follow-up survey was conducted 3 years later. RESULTS: Within 3 years, the prevalence of hypertension increased in both intervention and control cohorts, as well as in the middle and elderly cohorts, especially in the middle aged in control group. Among hypertensives in the intervention cohort, the rates of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension got improved. The incidence of stroke was 29% lower (HR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.58 - 0.87) and mortality of stroke was 40% lower (HR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.42 - 0.86) in the intervention cohort than the control cohort. The intervention was most effective in reduction of stroke for those with isolated systolic hypertension and combined systolic and diastolic hypertension (All P < 0.05). Meanwhile, all-cause mortality was 11% lower (HR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.78 - 0.99) in the intervention cohort than in the control cohort. CONCLUSION: The community-based intervention was effective in controlling the development of hypertension and stroke, while the elderly people benefit more than the middle aged people from the intervention.