Background and Purpose: ICAM-1 levels are increased in pathological studies of atherosclerosis. We evaluated 13,491 participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study to determine the association of ICAM-1 G241R and K469E polymorphisms with incident CHD and ischemic stroke.
Methods: Incidences of ischemic stroke (N=517) and CHD (N=1,629) through 2003 were determined by annual telephone calls and hospital and death certificate surveillance. Risk factors were measured at the baseline exam. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate HRRs.
Results: The ICAM-1 G241RR genotype was associated with significantly increased risk of ischemic stroke in both whites (HRR=2.18(1.01-4.68), P=0.05) and African Americans (HRR=7.04(3.72-13.3), P<0.001).
Conclusions: The ICAM-1 241RR genotype is associated with increased risk of incident ischemic stroke in both whites and African Americans.