Objective: To determine the age and sex variations in the relationship between diabetes and stroke.
Methods: This analysis was based on data from 61,327 Canadians > or =45 years of age who participated in the Canadian Community Health Survey in 2000-2001. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the association between diabetes and stroke, and effect modification by age and sex.
Results: The association between diabetes and stroke was stronger in the 45- to 64-year age group than the > or =65 year age group in men but not in women. The increased risk of stroke associated with diabetes was much stronger in men (adjusted OR = 3.86, 95% CI = 2.44-6.13) than in women (adjusted OR = 1.63, 95% CI = 0.88-2.99), and this difference was only observed in the younger age group. The results were similar after further adjustment for hypertension and heart disease.
Conclusions: There is a stronger association between stroke and diabetes in men than in women 45-64 years of age, suggesting men are more susceptible to stroke than women when they have diabetes.