A Large Longitudinal Study Examined the Association Between Obesity (Defined

A large longitudinal study examined the association between obesity (defined as BMI >30 kg/m²) and risk of ischemic stroke in a cohort of patients.  After assessing participant baseline characteristics, researchers followed 2,300 patients for a mean of 2.7 years and determined the incidence of major cardiovascular events.  Within the entire cohort, the crude relative risk (RR) of ischemic stroke was 2.4 in obese patients as compared to nonobese patients, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.8-2.6.  When the cohort patients were divided into those with diabetes mellitus and those without, among patients with diabetes, the RR of ischemic stroke was 1.1 in obese as compared to nonobese patients (CI, 0.9-1.6) whereas among patients without diabetes, the RR was 1.0 (CI, 0.7-1.5) .  Which of the following is the best interpretation of this study's findings?

A) Diabetes confounds the association between stroke and obesity.
B) Obesity increases the risk of stroke in patients with diabetes only.
C) Obesity independently increases the risk of stroke in the study population.
D) Obesity is confounding the association between stroke and diabetes.
E) The same relative rate of stroke is seen in obese and nonobese patients.

Correct Answer:

Verified

Unlock this answer now
Get Access to more Verified Answers free of charge

Access For Free