Abstract
Background and purposeNational dietary guidelines are intended to promote primary prevention of lifestyle-related diseases, but little is known about their effectiveness in prevention of stroke.MethodsWe used the Danish cohort Diet, Cancer and Health (n = 57 053) to investigate whether adherence to the Danish food-based dietary guidelines was associated with risk of stroke. Adherence was assessed by the Danish Dietary Guidelines Index, score 0 [no adherence] to 6 [complete adherence]. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for stroke and subtypes of stroke in men and women separately.ResultsIncident stroke was determined in 1357 men and 900 women during follow-up (median 12.5 years and 13.0 years, respectively). A higher Danish Dietary Guidelines Index score was inversely associated with total stroke in men but not in women. In men, a high Index score (≥4) was also inversely associated with total ischemic stroke (hazard ratio 0.75, 95% confidence interval 0.65–0.86), large-artery atherosclerosis (hazard ratio 0.63, 95% confidence interval 0.44–0.92) and small artery occlusion (hazard ratio 0.68, 95% confidence interval 0.54–0.84) compared to a low Index score (<4). In women, inverse associations were found for total ischemic stroke (hazard ratio 0.84, 95% confidence interval 0.72–0.98) and intracerebral hemorrhage (hazard ratio 0.64, 95% confidence interval 0.43–0.96).ConclusionsOur findings suggest that adherence to the Danish Dietary Guidelines is associated with a lower rate of stroke, and thus may be useful in primary prevention of disease.
Highlights
According to World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates, stroke is the second leading cause of death in the developed world and the third leading cause of long-term disability. [1,2] Stroke survivors may experience mild to severe disability from the brain damage, and medical treatment, rehabilitation and the need for lifelong help make stroke a leading burden of disease. [2] Primary prevention is key to reducing this burden in the population
A higher Danish Dietary Guidelines Index score was inversely associated with total stroke in men but not in women
Inverse associations were found for total ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage
Summary
According to World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates, stroke is the second leading cause of death in the developed world and the third leading cause of long-term disability. [1,2] Stroke survivors may experience mild to severe disability from the brain damage, and medical treatment, rehabilitation and the need for lifelong help make stroke a leading burden of disease. [2] Primary prevention is key to reducing this burden in the population. The Danish national food-based dietary guidelines have been developed to promote primary prevention of nutrition-related diseases. [5] The most recent update in 2013 was based on the current scientific evidence for foods and risk of non-communicable diseases, and on the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2012, [5,6] and adherence to these guidelines is associated with a lower rate of myocardial infarction. [7] Few studies have investigated associations between national dietary guidelines and incidence of stroke. [8] A study investigating adherence to the Dutch national dietary guidelines observed no association with total stroke. [3,4] The aims of this study were to investigate whether adherence to the Danish dietary guidelines was associated with lower rates of total stroke or subtypes of stroke. National dietary guidelines are intended to promote primary prevention of lifestyle-related diseases, but little is known about their effectiveness in prevention of stroke
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
