Dietary inflammatory index and unfavorable dietary patterns associated with ischemic stroke in China.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The dietary inflammatory potential, assessed by the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), may influence ischemic stroke (IS) risk, but evidence from high-incidence regions in China remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the associations among dietary patterns, the DII, and IS in Eastern China. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: In a hospital-based case-control study in Zhejiang, China, 223 IS patients and 510 age- and sex-matched controls completed a validated food frequency questionnaire. DII scores were calculated, and dietary patterns were derived using factor analysis. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: A "Jiangnan red-sauce and heavy oil" pattern, characterized by high intake of refined grains, salted vegetables, processed meats, and fats, was associated with higher DII scores and an increased IS risk (OR = 1.85; 95% CI: 1.74-2.51; top versus bottom tertile). Conversely, a "Traditional Chinese" pattern, rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and legumes, was correlated with lower DII scores and a potentially reduced IS risk (OR = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.76-0.94). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that pro-inflammatory diets were associated with a high likelihood of IS, while anti-inflammatory patterns, such as the Traditional Chinese diet, may be protective. The findings may also provide insights for dietary prevention strategies in the high-risk populations, pending confirmation from prospective studies.