Previous research suggested that several genetic polymorphisms are associated with increased risk of ischaemic stroke (IS) in young adults. However, the predictive biomarkers of IS in young adults are still unclear. Our aim was to assess the contribution of modifiable and genetic factors in IS in young adults. In total, 40 stroke patients and 40 healthy controls aged 20 to 50 years were recruited. Data on modifiable factors were collected, then participants were genotyped for seven SNPs linked to thrombophilia: ACE rs1799752, PAI-1 rs1799889, APOE rs1412 and rs429358, FV rs6025 and rs1800595, and FII rs62623459. Significantly increased risk factors: hypertension and dyslipidaemia in stroke patients compared with the controls: 50.0 % vs 27.5 % and 75.0 % vs 40.0% (P = 0.039 and P = 0.002, respectively) were observed. Stroke patients compared with controls did not differ in distribution of ACE, APOE, FV, and FII variants. The 4G4G homozygotes of the PAI-1 gene were significantly more prevalent in stroke patients compared to the controls: 42.5 % vs 17.5 %, (P = 0.033). In the group with the small vessel occlusion subtype of stroke, statistically significant overrepresentation of 4G4G homozygotes and frequency of the 4G allele compared with controls: 57.1 % vs 17.5 % and 0.7 vs 0.45 (P = 0.026 and P = 0.03, respectively) were observed. Independent predictors of stroke incident were: dyslipidaemia (OR (95% CI) = 4.2 (1.4–12.4)) and 4G4G genotype (OR (95% CI) = 3.9 (1.1–13.7)). These results confirm the contribution of dyslipidaemia and 4G4G genotype in the increased risk of IS in young Bosnian adults.
Even before the 2008/9-crisis, and certainly after, trends in labour markets combined with housing and mortgage market developments made it more difficult for each new cohort of young Europeans (25-34) to complete the transition to ‘residential independence’, and to homeownership in particular. Using EU-SILC-data (2005-2018), I find that young adults’ homeownership opportunities have indeed declined across Europe, but to varying extents. Furthermore, it seems that a more socially selective group of highly educated young homeowners are entering properties, and the properties they are entering are of lower quality and in locations with fewer services. I also find indications that the transition to homeownership is being pushed beyond the commonly used age-threshold of 34. Across countries, deteriorating homeownership opportunities are more strongly associated with housing and mortgage market turmoil than with the declined employment and income security of young adults. Taken together, these findings may indicate that housing market developments, such as restricted access to mortgage credit, have become a more important explanatory factor.