Stroke in Users of Low-Dose Oral Contraceptives

To the Editor: Petitti et al. (July 4 issue)¹ reported a low risk of stroke among women using oral-contraceptive preparations low in estrogen, a result that agrees with the findings of our case–control study.² Their study shows an apparent protective effect against ischemic infarction with any use of oral contraceptives (odds ratio, 0.52; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.27 to 1.00); this effect is even more evident with past use and clearly contrasts with the findings of other studies.^3,4 Current smoking, treated hypertension, and black race, all of which were associated with a higher risk of stroke, were more frequent . . .