Investigating the impact of remnant cholesterol on new-onset stroke across diverse inflammation levels: Insights from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS).

BACKGROUND

Prior research underscores the significant impact of remnant cholesterol (RC) on stroke occurrence due to its proatherogenic and proinflammatory traits. This study aims to explore diverse risks of new-onset stroke associated with RC, considering distinct inflammation levels in the middle-aged and senior population in China.

METHODS

We analyzed 6509 participants from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) across four waves (2011-2018). We employed a multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model, incorporated restricted cubic spline techniques, and conducted sensitivity analyses to evaluate the association among RC, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and the risk of new-onset stroke.

RESULTS

Over 7 years, 540 new-onset strokes occurred. Individuals in the highest quartile of RC levels exhibited a heightened risk of new-onset stroke, with a multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) peaking at 1.50 (95% confidence interval 1.12-2.00, P for trend = 0.021), showing a non-linear correlation (P nonlinearity = 0.049). High hsCRP alone had an adjusted HR of 1.10 (95% CI 0.87-1.39), compared to 1.40 (95% CI 1.00-1.96) for high RC alone. Additionally, concurrent high RC and hsCRP showed an adjusted HR of 1.43 (95% CI 1.05-1.96). Consistency persisted across various hsCRP thresholds, after adjusting for additional parameters, or excluding chronic diseases in the primary model, reinforcing result robustness.

CONCLUSION

Our findings reveal a substantial and non-linear association between higher baseline RC levels and an elevated risk of new-onset stroke. Moreover, elevated levels of both RC and hsCRP jointly pose the highest risk for new-onset stroke, surpassing the risk associated with each factor individually.