15 Aug Stroke Risk Elevated in Some Patients with NAION

Posted at 12:06h in Author Interviews, Ophthalmology, Stroke by

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Rong-Kung Tsai MD, PhD Professor and Director Institute of Eye Research Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Center; Director, Institute of Medical Sciences Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan

Dr. Rong Kung-Tsai

Rong-Kung Tsai MD, PhD
Professor and Director
Institute of Eye Research
Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Center;
Director, Institute of Medical Sciences
Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Response: Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is pathogenetically different from stroke, stroke is caused by thromboembolism. However, they share many (but not all) systemic vascular risk factors. Previous small scale studies got controversial results. Using the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) in Taiwan to conduct the cohort study, 414 patients were included in the NAION group and 789 in the control group (base one million beneficiaries). The incidence of NAION is 3.72/100,000 person-years in Taiwan, and patients with NAION have more chances to develop ischemic stroke (p=0.003), but not hemorrhage stroke.

The subgroup analyses further showed the risk of ischemic stroke among the subjects with NAION and with comorbidities was 3.35 times higher than those without NAION. However, in patients with NAION but no comorbidities, there is no increase risk of stroke development.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: This study results suggest that physicians should refer all patients with NAION for systemic survey of vasculopathy and control of modifiable risk factors, change life styles to prevent irreversible neurological sequelae. The management strategy for patients with NAION is different between patients with systemic comorbidities and patients without comorbidities.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: This is a retrospective cohort study, further prospective studies in hospital-based NAION patients may reveal much details of impact among comorbidities in risk to develop stroke.

MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Response: This report may provide valuable information for physicians in the management of patients with NAION.

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

Citation:

Increased Risk of Stroke in Patients with Non-arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy: A Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study
Lee, Yueh-Chang et al.

American Journal of Ophthalmology , Volume 0 , Issue 0
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2016.08.006

Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.

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Last Updated on August 15, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD

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