RISK-FACTORS FOR STROKE IN COPENHAGEN, DENMARK .1. BASIC DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIAL-FACTORS

The Copenhagen City Heart Study is a prospective study based on a rand omly selected sample of an urban population of, initially, 19,698 part icipants followed since 1976. Risk factor analysis was based on the in itial examination of 13,000 persons greater-than-or-equal-to 35 years old without previous stroke who responded to the first invitation. In the period 1976-1988, 696 initial cases were identified: 584 strokes, 106 transient ischemic attacks and 6 retinal-artery occlusions. We use d the regression model of Cox based on a hierarchic system of risk fac tors that indicated the way they influence each other. This method dis tinguishes independent risk factors and estimates their causal influen ces on the risk of stroke. Among the basic variables analyzed in this paper, significant effects were found for age, sex, length of school e ducation and income. There was a tendency for living alone to be a ris k factor as opposed to living with someone, while no influence could b e demonstrated for family history of stroke.