The Association Between Laterality and Stroke Severity: A Cross-Sectional Study

Handedness is a manifestation of cerebral lateralization that has been implicated in various neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions. Despite extensive research, the relationship between laterality and stroke outcomes remains underexplored. This study investigates the association between laterality (handedness, footedness, and ocular preference) and stroke severity.

A cross-sectional study of 98 stroke patients from Tunisian hospitals assessed laterality (handedness, footedness, ocular preference) and NIHSS severity. Laterality was evaluated using validated questionnaires for manual, foot, and ocular preferences. Statistical analyses included nonparametric tests to examine the correlation between different aspects of laterality, the relationship between laterality (handedness, footedness, and ocular preference) and both stroke risk factors and stroke severity, as well as the correlation between stroke risk factors and severity, with a particular emphasis on the indirect impact of laterality.

The majority of participants were right-handed (66.3%), while 10.2% were left-handed and 38.8% demonstrated crossed laterality. No significant association was found between laterality and stroke severity (p > 0.05). Left-handedness was more prevalent among dyslipidemic patients, a factor significantly associated with stroke severity (OR = 5.6, p = 0.033).

The findings suggest that while laterality does not directly influence stroke severity, it may indirectly affect outcomes by modulating stroke risk factors. Therefore, laterality plays a crucial role in stroke, primarily through its impact on risk factors rather than directly determining severity.