Predictors of mortality from idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in 356,222 men screened for the multiple risk factor intervention trial

Possible predictors of mortality from idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy were studied in 356,222 men who were screened as part of the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial. The vital status of each member of this cohort was ascertained through 1986. Death certificates were obtained from state health departments and coded by a trained nosologist. Individuals with a history of myocardial infarction were excluded. A total of 206 deaths due to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy occurred in the cohort of 356,222 men after an average of 12 years of follow-up. The age-specific rates of mortality from idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy increased from 0.10 per 10,000 person-years among men aged 35-39 years to 1.16 per 10,000 person-years among men aged 55-57 years. The proportional hazards model was used to obtain adjusted estimates of relative risks. Statistically significant, independent associations were observed with cigarettes smoked per day (p < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.001), and diabetes mellitus (relative risk (RR) = 2.97, p < 0.001). Black race was also associated with an increased risk of death from idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (RR = 1.59 and p = 0.045 without adjustment for income; AR = 1.58 and p = 0.058 with adjustment for income). No association was found with serum cholesterol or income. The information about possible risk factors obtained in this study may contribute to future preventive programs for idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.