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Risk of stroke with antivenom usage after venomous snakebite in Taiwan: a population-based cohort study
1Division of Chest Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
QJM : Monthly Journal of the Association of Physicians
|October 6, 2021
Summary
Venomous snakebites increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke, particularly after antivenom treatment. This finding highlights a critical complication of snakebite envenomation requiring further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Toxicology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Stroke is a rare but severe complication of venomous snakebites.
- Understanding the link between snakebite and stroke risk is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between venomous snakebite and the risk of acute stroke.
- To identify specific stroke types linked to snakebite envenomation.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study using Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (2000-2012).
- Propensity score matching compared 535 venomous snakebite patients with 2140 controls.
- Competing risk model analyzed stroke incidence, adjusting for risk factors.
Main Results:
- Venomous snakebite was associated with a 2.68-fold increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke.
- Patients receiving antivenom post-snakebite showed a 2.72-fold higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke.
- Older individuals (>65 years) faced a greater risk of hemorrhagic stroke following snakebite.
Conclusions:
- Venomous snakebite, especially with antivenom use, is linked to a significantly increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke.
- The underlying mechanisms warrant further research to improve clinical outcomes.
