Psychosocial Stress Tied to Higher Risk for Acute Stroke

THURSDAY, Dec. 15, 2022 (HealthDay News) — Self-reported psychosocial stress is associated with an increased risk for stroke, according to a study published online Dec. 9 in JAMA Network Open.

Catriona Reddin, from National University of Ireland Galway, and colleagues examined whether psychosocial stress is associated with the risk for acute stroke. The analysis included 13,462 patients with first acute stroke in 32 countries in Asia, North and South America, Europe, Australia, the Middle East, and Africa and 13,488 matched controls.

The researchers found that increased stress at home (odds ratio, 1.95), stress at work (odds ratio, 2.70), and recent stressful life events (odds ratio, 1.31) were associated with an increased risk for acute stroke in multivariable analyses. There was a reduced odds of stroke seen for those reporting higher locus of control at home (odds ratio, 0.73). A higher locus of control both at work and at home were associated with a lower odds of acute stroke and significantly lessened the association of stress at work (odds ratio, 2.20) and home (odds ratio, 1.69) with the risk for acute stroke.

“Psychosocial stress is a common risk factor for acute stroke,” the authors write. “The findings of this case-control study suggest that higher locus of control is associated with lower risk of stroke and may be an important effect modifier of the risk associated with psychosocial stress.”

One author disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry.