Association of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein-to-hemoglobin ratio with stroke risk: A study based on the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study and English Longitudinal Study of Ageing cohorts.

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein-to-hemoglobin ratio and stroke risk among middle-aged and older adults.MethodsA prospective follow-up study was conducted using cohort data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) and the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). Participants without a history of stroke at baseline were included, comprising 5368 individuals from CHARLS and 1422 from ELSA. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to analyze the association between C-reactive protein-to-hemoglobin ratio levels and stroke risk, along with dose-response analyses and subgroup interaction testing.ResultsAfter adjusting for sex, age, lifestyle factors, and multiple clinical biochemical indicators, the participants in Q2, Q3, and Q4 demonstrated a significantly higher risk of stroke than those in Q1 (reference group). The hazard ratios were 2.23 (1.35-3.69), 2.24 (1.36-3.71), and 3.14 (1.93-5.12), respectively (all P < 0.01). Dose-response analysis revealed an approximately linear positive association between C-reactive protein-to-hemoglobin ratio and stroke risk.ConclusionsC-reactive protein-to-hemoglobin ratio levels are significantly and positively associated with stroke risk in middle-aged and older adults.