Use or abuse of illicit and over-the-counter drugs was historically associated with 9.5% of strokes, most commonly involving cocaine (45%) and OTC sympathomimetics (27%).
Observational (n=178)
Nearly 10% of strokes in this hospital population were associated with illicit or OTC drug use, highlighting the importance of screening for substance use in stroke patients.
Ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke frequently occur in temporal association with use or abuse of illicit and over-the-counter (OTC) sympathomimetic drugs. However, little information is available on the proportion of strokes associated with use/abuse of drugs in specific hospital populations. Between September 1, 1988, and August 1, 1989, 167 of 178 stroke patients entered into the Maryland Stroke Data Bank were asked for a history of drug use or abuse. Information was incomplete in 51 of 167 (31%) patients due to neurologic deficit or lack of inquiry. Eleven of the remaining 116 cases (9.5%) were historically associated with drug use. Age range was 25 to 56 years (mean, 41 years). Stroke associated with drug use occurred in four of 62 (6%) cerebral infarcts, two of 28 (7%) intracerebral hemorrhages, and five of 26 (19%) subarachnoid hemorrhages (p = ns). Drugs included cocaine in five (45%), OTC sympathomimetics in three (27%), phencyclidine in two (18%), and heroin in one (9%).
Sloan et al. (Sun,) conducted a observational in Stroke (n=178). Illicit and over-the-counter sympathomimetic drugs was evaluated on Proportion of strokes associated with drug use. Use or abuse of illicit and over-the-counter drugs was historically associated with 9.5% of strokes, most commonly involving cocaine (45%) and OTC sympathomimetics (27%).