THE MINORITIES RISK-FACTORS AND STROKE STUDY (MRFASS) - DESIGN, METHODS AND BASE-LINE CHARACTERISTICS

African-Americans and probably Latinos are at increased risk of stroke compared with white, non-Latino Americans. This study seeks to determ ine if the known risk factors for stroke can account for this increase d risk. In this case-control study controls (neighborhood volunteers) were group-matched to acute stroke cases by ethnicity in a ratio of ap proximately 2:1 for African-Americans and Latinos and 1:1 for whites. Extensive historical, clinical and laboratory data were collected on e ach subject, For each ethnic group cases were somewhat older and less well-educated than the volunteer controls. Patients in each ethnic gro up were similar with regard to time from stroke onset to hospital admi ssion, stroke severity, length of stay, discharge disposition and mort ality rate. With minor exceptions the distributions of stroke subtypes within each ethnic group appeared similar to those previously reporte d. Subject recruitment for this case-control study was completed in th e manner and time frame planned. Analysis of risk factor information f rom this sample should provide valuable information regarding the rela tive risk associated with the major modifiable risk factors for stroke in the minority groups studied.