STROKE WAS PREDICTED BY DIMENSIONS OF QUALITY-OF-LIFE IN TREATED HYPERTENSIVE MEN

Background and Purpose-Psychosocial factors have been suggested as ris k factors for atherosclerotic disease. The purpose of the present stud y was to examine whether quality of life predicted strokes and acute c oronary events in a prospective study. Methods-The study included 412 treated hypertensive men, aged 50 to 72 years, with II of the followin g: serum cholesterol greater than or equal to 6.5 mmol/L, smoking, or diabetes mellitus. The Minor Symptoms Evaluation Profile (MSEP) was us ed to estimate quality of life at entry. Incidences of stroke and acut e coronary events were recorded during follow-up. The median follow-up time was 6.6 years. Results-Sixty-four patients had an acute coronary event, and 37 had a stroke during the follow-up period. The Cox regre ssion analyses revealed that the 3 dimensions of MSEP at entry were si gnificant predictors of stroke. The relationship between low contentme nt at entry and the incidence of stroke during follow-up remained sign ificant (relative risk = 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.06; P=0.003) even aft er adjustment for other potential cardiovascular risk factors. Vitalit y also remained an independent predictor for stroke after adjustment f or these potential cardiovascular risk factors (relative risk=1.04; 95 % CI, 1.02 to 1.06; P<0.0001). There was no relationship between MSEP score at entry and myocardial infarction during follow-up. Conclusions -An independent and significant association between reduced well-being at entry and future stroke was observed in hypertensive men at high c ardiovascular risk. The causal relationship is not known, however.