24 Feb Psychiatric Illness Linked To Increased Risk of Stroke
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Jonah Zuflacht
Jonah P. Zuflacht
M.D. Candidate | Class of 2017
Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Recent evidence suggests that psychological distress, including the symptoms of psychiatric illness, may increase the risk of stroke. However, existing studies have been limited by small sample sizes, methodological bias, and poorly defined criteria for what constitutes psychological distress. We used a case-crossover design to assess the relationship between hospitalization or emergency department visit for a psychiatric condition and stroke in adults. We found that psychiatric hospitalization increases the short-term risk of stroke, particularly within the 15-day period following the diagnosis. This effect is particularly pronounced in younger patients.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: The development of a psychiatric illness, such as depression or psychosis, following stroke has been studied extensively. Our research demonstrates that antecedent psychiatric illness actually increases the risk of stroke and suggests that psychosocial distress is a risk factor for cerebrovascular disease.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Response: Further research is needed to better understand how, on a mechanistic level, psychiatric illness increases one’s risk of stroke. For example, it remains unclear whether behavioral mechanisms (such as medication non-adherence) or physiologic mechanisms (such as sympathetic hyper-activation) are involved.
Due to methodological limitations, we were unable assess the relationship between a specific psychiatric diagnosis (e.g. depression, psychosis, etc.) and stroke risk. Thus, future investigations should focus on exploring which psychiatric illnesses are most closely associated with an increased risk of stroke.
None of the authors have any disclosures to report.
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Citation: ISC 2017 abstract
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Last Updated on February 24, 2017 by Marie Benz MD FAAD