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Stroke in community-acquired bacterial meningitis: a Danish population-based study

Jacob Bodilsen1, Michael Dalager-Pedersen1, Henrik Carl Schønheyder2

  • 1Department of Infectious Diseases, Aalborg University Hospital, Mølleparkvej 4, PO Box 365, 9100 Aalborg, Denmark.

International Journal of Infectious Diseases : IJID : Official Publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
|January 18, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Stroke is a common complication in community-acquired bacterial meningitis (CABM), leading to worse outcomes. Atherosclerosis risk factors did not appear to influence stroke occurrence in these patients.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Stroke is a severe complication of community-acquired bacterial meningitis (CABM).
  • The incidence, predisposing factors, and outcomes of stroke in CABM require further investigation, particularly concerning atherosclerosis risk factors.
  • Understanding these aspects is crucial for managing CABM patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the incidence, predisposing factors, and outcomes of stroke in adult patients with CABM.
  • To investigate the association between pre-existing atherosclerosis risk factors and stroke in CABM.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective population-based cohort study in the North Denmark Region from 1998 to 2010.
  • Inclusion of all patients over 16 years of age diagnosed with CABM.
  • Data retrieved from patient records; unfavourable outcome defined as Glasgow Outcome Scale score of 1-4, favourable as 5.

Main Results:

  • 152 episodes of CABM were identified; 22 (14%) patients experienced a stroke (15 ischemic, 3 hemorrhagic, 4 combined).
  • Stroke was not significantly associated with age or atherosclerosis risk factors.
  • Stroke was linked to higher in-hospital mortality (27% vs. 16%), unfavourable outcomes (86% vs. 37%), and long-term sequelae (88% vs. 40%) among survivors.

Conclusions:

  • Stroke is a frequent complication in adult CABM patients.
  • Stroke in CABM is associated with increased mortality, unfavourable outcomes, and long-term sequelae.
  • Stroke occurrence in CABM does not appear to be related to atherosclerosis risk factors.
Abstract

Keywords:
Cerebral infarctionMeningitisStroke

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