Bonaccio M, et al. – The relation of fish consumption to risk of composite coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke was investigated in an extensive population–based cohort adhering to Mediterranean Diet. In a general Mediterranean population, an attenuated risk of composite fatal and non–fatal CHD and stroke was observed in association with fish intake. The favourable link was likely to be driven by fatty fish.

Methods

• Researchers prospectively analyzed 20,969 subjects free from cardiovascular disease at baseline, enrolled in the Moli-sani study (2005-2010).
• The Italian version of the EPIC food frequency questionnaire was used to record food intake.
• Multivariable Cox-proportional hazard models were used to calculate hazard ratios.

Results

• Findings showed that during a median follow-up of 4.3 years, a total of 352 events occurred (n of CHD = 287 and n of stroke = 66).
• Researchers observed that after adjustment for a large panel of covariates, fish intake ≥ 4 times per week was associated with 40% reduced risk of composite CHD and stroke (HR=0.60; 95%CI 0.40-0.90), and with 40% lower risk of CHD (HR=0.60; 95%CI 0.38-0.94) as compared with subjects in the lowest category of intake (<2 times/week).
• They also reported a similar trend of protection for stroke risk although results were not significant (HR=0.62; 95%CI 0.26-1.51).
• Data revealed that when fish types were considered, protection against the composite outcome and CHD was confined to fatty fish intake.