Precipitants of Brain Infarction

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Background and Purpose Antecedent febrile infection and psychological stress are described as predisposing risk factors for brain infarction. We examined the temporal relationship between preceding infection/inflammation and stroke onset as well as the role of recent psychological stress as a potential precipitant for brain infarction. Methods In this case-control study, a standardized evaluation including a signs/symptoms-based questionnaire was used to characterize the prevalence and timing of recent prior (Results The prevalence of infection/inflammation was significantly higher in the stroke group only within the preceding 1 week compared with either community control subjects (13/37 versus 6/47, P <.02) or hospitalized neurological patient controls (3/34, P <.02). Upper respiratory tract infections constituted the most common type of infection. A substantial proportion of stroke patients with preceding (Conclusions Our data suggest that both febrile and nonfebrile infectious/inflammatory syndromes may be a common predisposing risk factor for brain infarction and that the period of increased risk is confined within a brief temporal window of less than 1 week. Results of this study argue against a role for recent psychological stress as a precipitant for cerebral infarction.