Modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors in ischemic stroke: a meta-analysis

Background: Stroke is a heterogeneous, multifactorial disease regulated by modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors like total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipid-cholesterol (LDL-C), low density lipid-cholesterol (LDL-C) and glucose and non-modifiable factors like age. Evaluation of these risk factors for ischemic stroke may contribute to more effective prevention. Methods: This meta-analysis investigated the data up to 2018 with respect to age, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipid-cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipid-cholesterol (LDL-C) and glucose levels in the Ischemic stroke patients and controls. Data from each eligible study was extracted such as year of publication, first author name, ethnicity/country, number of ischemic stroke patients and healthy controls and studies were subjected to heterogeneity analysis. Results: Meta-analysis of the modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors like total cholesterol, HDL-C and LDL-C glucose, triglycerides levels and age were not having significantly associated with ischemic stroke (p>0.05). However meta-analysis of triglyceride yielded significant association ischemic stroke with overall 95% CI (-0.62- (-0.09) and P= 0.007 and glucose also showed significant association with ischemic stroke with 95% CI (-1.08- (-0.14), P=0.01. Studies were subjected to heterogeneity which revealed significant heterogeneity with (P <0.00) and I2>96%. Conclusion: Meta-analysis revealed that levels of triglyceride and glucose are the predisposing factors for ischemic stroke in the Asian population.