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A comprehensive study conducted by the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) has revealed that genetic factors and regional disparities in co-morbidities significantly influence the burden of stroke, one of the leading causes of death worldwide. This research, one of the largest of its kind, analyzed data from 204 countries spanning from 2009 to 2019, highlighting the complex interplay between genetics, co-morbidities, and stroke incidence.
Moinak Banerjee, a researcher at RGCB’s Neurobiology Division, emphasized the importance of underlying genetic factors in defining regional variations in stroke risk and its associated co-morbidities. “These genetic factors are crucial in understanding the burden of stroke across different populations,” he stated.
The study examined eleven major diseases, including overall stroke, its subtypes—ischemic stroke (IS) and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH)—and co-morbid conditions such as ischemic heart disease, diabetes (type 1 and type 2), chronic kidney disease, hypertension, high body mass index (BMI), and elevated LDL cholesterol levels.
Published in the esteemed journal eLife, the findings indicate distinct regional drivers of stroke risk: metabolic factors are prevalent in America and Europe, while vascular risks dominate in Asian and African regions. This stark contrast underscores the necessity for tailored approaches in stroke prevention and management.
“Co-morbidities can significantly amplify both the risk of stroke and its subsequent outcomes,” Banerjee noted. In 2019 alone, stroke affected over 101 million individuals globally and resulted in more than 6.55 million deaths, positioning it as a leading cause of mortality.
The researchers pointed out a notable gap in current public health strategies, which often analyze stroke burden solely from a socio-economic perspective, while biomedical researchers typically isolate the disease. The study advocates for a more integrated approach, recognizing the strong regional disparities and the necessity to focus on co-morbid conditions to mitigate stroke risk effectively.
To address this issue, the study calls for health policymakers to consider genetic insights alongside epidemiological observations of major and co-morbid conditions. This dual approach can better inform strategies aimed at reducing the burden of stroke across diverse populations.
RGCB Director Prof. Chandrabhas Narayana emphasized the significance of this research, stating, “This important study can greatly contribute to the prevention and management of stroke by offering a population-centric perspective.”
The findings serve as a clarion call for health authorities to adopt targeted interventions that account for both genetic predispositions and regional health disparities, ultimately striving to reduce the global stroke burden.
