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Updated: May 24, 2026

A Thrombotic Stroke Model Based On Transient Cerebral Hypoxia-ischemia
Published on: August 18, 2015
Previous infection and stroke: a prospective study
Jaume Roquer1, Elisa Cuadrado-Godia, Eva Giralt-Steinthauer
1Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitari del Mar, Parc de Salut Mar, Barcelona, Spain. jroquer@hospitaldelmar.cat
Background:
Previous studies have demonstrated that infections might precipitate ischemic strokes (IS). We sought to describe, in a large prospective series, the frequency of previous infection (PI) in IS and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and to assess whether any relationship with stroke subtype or outcome could be identified.
Methods:
Between January 2005 and December 2010, we studied 1,981 patients with acute stroke. The presence of PI within the month before the stroke was prospectively assessed. PI was correlated with demographic data, vascular risk factors, stroke subtype, and 3-month outcome.
Results:
A total of 193 (9.7%) patients had suffered a PI, the most common being respiratory tract infections (36.8%), flu or flu-like illness (30.1%), and gastrointestinal infections (12.4%). PI was more frequent in IS cases (10.2%) than in ICH (6.8%) (p = 0.081). Among IS cases, no differences were seen between PI and TOAST subtypes (p = 0.644). For IS, patients with PI were older (p = 0.025), had worse previous functional status (p = 0.002), suffered a more severe stroke (p = 0.002), achieved poor outcome (p = 0.001), and had higher 3-month mortality (p = 0.019). Multivariate analysis showed that IS patients with PI had previous poor functional status (OR = 1.58; p = 0.026) and suffered more severe strokes (OR = 1.02, p = 0.048). After adjustment for confounders, PI has no independent influence on 3-month outcome (OR = 1.15; p = 0.564).
Conclusions:
PI are observed in 9.7% of stroke cases without differences according to the TOAST subtype. PI are associated with previous poor functional status and with stroke severity, but have no independent influence on the 3-month outcome.
Insights
Previous infections (PI) occurred in 9.7% of stroke patients, particularly respiratory infections. While PI correlated with stroke severity and poorer functional status, it did not independently impact 3-month outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Infections are suspected triggers for ischemic strokes (IS).
- This study investigated the frequency and impact of previous infections (PI) on IS and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of PI in IS and ICH.
- To explore associations between PI, stroke subtypes, and patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 1,981 acute stroke patients (Jan 2005-Dec 2010).
- Assessed PI within one month prior to stroke.
- Correlated PI with demographics, risk factors, stroke type, and 3-month outcomes.
Main Results:
- 9.7% of patients had PI; most common were respiratory infections (36.8%) and flu (30.1%).
- PI was more frequent in IS (10.2%) than ICH (6.8%).
- For IS, PI was linked to older age, worse prior functional status, increased stroke severity, poorer outcomes, and higher mortality.
Conclusions:
- PIs are present in 9.7% of stroke cases, with no TOAST subtype differences.
- PI is associated with poorer prior functional status and stroke severity.
- PI does not independently influence 3-month stroke outcomes.
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