Scientists Have Discovered A Link Between Cystitis And Pyelonephritis With Stroke

Scientists have discovered a link between cystitis and pyelonephritis with stroke

Several infections have been identified as possible triggers of stroke, with the strongest link between urinary tract infections and ischemic stroke, according to a new study published in the American Heart Association's Stroke.

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Several infections have been identified as possible triggers of stroke, with the strongest link between urinary tract infections and ischemic stroke, according to a new study published in the American Heart Association's Stroke.

Previous studies have looked at infections as triggers of stroke, but the data have been limited by the correlation of acute infections with ischemic stroke, a type of stroke caused by blockage of blood vessels in the brain. This study looked at a broader spectrum of infections and analyzed associations with two other types of stroke: intracerebral hemorrhage (rupture of a blood vessel in the brain) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (bleeding in the inner lining of the brain).

“Healthcare providers need to be aware that infections can cause strokes. Understanding the weeks or months before a stroke can sometimes help pinpoint possible causes of stroke if there was an infection at the time,”said senior study author Mandip Dhamoon of Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine in New York.

Researchers used New York State public hospital inpatient and emergency department databases from 2006 to 2013. Electronic medical record codes have been used to identify hospital admissions and emergency department visits for three types of stroke and infections - cutaneous, urinary tract, abdominal, respiratory, and sepsis. Hospital admissions for infections were reviewed 7, 14, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days prior to stroke.

The researchers found that all types of infections were associated with an increased likelihood of ischemic stroke. The strongest association was found with urinary tract infections, with a more than threefold increase in the risk of ischemic stroke within 30 days of hospitalization for infections. For all types of infections, the magnitude of the risk of stroke decreased with an increase in the time period preceding the onset of ischemic stroke.

With regard to intracerebral hemorrhage, the strongest association was found with urinary tract infections, sepsis and respiratory infections. The occurrence of subarachnoid hemorrhage is associated with only one type of infection - respiratory.

“Our research shows that we need to put more effort into understanding why and how infections are associated with different types of strokes, and this will help determine what we can do to prevent these types of strokes. The evidence suggests possible prerequisites for vaccination, antibiotics or intensive antithrombotic treatment, not only to prevent infections, but also to prevent stroke in those considered at high risk,”concluded Mandip Dhamun.