
Harry Björkbacka
Researcher

Total and differential leucocyte counts in relation to incidence of stroke subtypes and mortality: a prospective cohort study
Author
Summary, in English
. Zia E, Melander O, Bjorkbacka H, Hedblad B, Engstrom G (Lund University, Malmo; Institute of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmo; Skane University Hospital, Malmo; and Astra Zeneca R&D, Malmo, Sweden). Total and differential leucocyte counts in relation to incidence of stroke subtypes and mortality: a prospective cohort study. J Intern Med 2012; 272: 298304. Objectives. Elevated levels of total leucocyte as well as leucocyte subtypes have been associated with increased risk of atherosclerotic disease. Atherosclerosis is an important cause of cerebral infarction, whereas its significance in intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) is less clear. A small number of prospective studies have revealed the relationship between leucocyte counts and incident stroke, in particular incidence of stroke subtypes. We evaluated the associations between total leucocyte count (TLC) as well as leucocyte subtypes and the incidence of and mortality caused by different stroke subtypes. Design and subjects. Of 28 449 participants from the Malmo Diet and Cancer Study, 26 927 stroke-free subjects (mean age at screening, 58 +/- 8 years) were included in a prospective cohort study. The screening period was between 1991 and 1996. Incidence of stroke, 1-year mortality and 1-month case-fatality rate (CFR) were assessed by linkage to local and national registers. Cox regression analysis was used to assess stroke risk and 1-year mortality, and 1-month CFR was assessed by logistic regression analysis. Results. During a follow-up period of 13.6 +/- 3.3 years, 1515 participants had a first-ever stroke (cerebral infarction, n = 1314; ICH, n = 201). After adjustments for other risk factors, TLC and neutrophil count were significantly associated with increased incidence of cerebral infarction (hazards ratio (HR), 1.4; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.21.7 and 1.3; 95% CI, 1.11.5, respectively). There was an inverse association between elevated TLC and incident ICH (HR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.40.99). No associations were found between leucocyte counts and mortality for either stroke subtype. Conclusion. The results suggest that the relationships with inflammation for ischaemic stroke and ICH are different.
Department/s
- Section IV
- Cardiovascular Research - Epidemiology
- Cardiovascular Research - Hypertension
- Cardiovascular Research - Immunity and Atherosclerosis
- EXODIAB: Excellence of Diabetes Research in Sweden
- EpiHealth: Epidemiology for Health
Publishing year
2012
Language
English
Pages
298-304
Publication/Series
Journal of Internal Medicine
Volume
272
Issue
3
Links
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
Topic
- Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems
Keywords
- differential leucocyte counts
- incidence
- mortality
- risk factor
- stroke
- subtypes
Status
Published
Research group
- Cardiovascular Research - Epidemiology
- Cardiovascular Research - Hypertension
- Cardiovascular Research - Immunity and Atherosclerosis
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 1365-2796