What does this research mean for the field?

Perceived psychosocial stress increases stroke risk by 58% (RR = 1.58), particularly in patients under 50 years old. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the association between perceived psychosocial stress and stroke risk across observational studies.

January 10, 2026Frontiers in NeurologyOpen Access

The correlation between perceived psychosocial stress and stroke: a meta-analysis

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

Case–control studies indicated that perceived psychosocial stress increases stroke risk by 58% (RR = 1.58), particularly in patients under 50 years old.

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Key result

Perceived psychosocial stress linked to ~58% greater stroke risk, particularly in patients under 50.

Why the study?

This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between perceived psychosocial stress and stroke.

Does perceived psychosocial stress increase the risk of stroke?

Key Points

To evaluate the association between perceived psychosocial stress and stroke risk across observational studies.
Systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library through March 2025 for studies reporting adjusted odds ratios, hazard ratios, or relative risks.
Pooled effect estimates using a random-effects model with heterogeneity assessed via Cochrane Q statistics and evaluated subgroups by stroke subtype, geographical region, sex, and age.
Case–control studies demonstrated a higher incidence of perceived psychosocial stress in stroke patients than controls (RR = 1.58, 95% CI [1.17–1.80], p < 0.00001, I2 = 84%), with significant elevations for ischemic stroke (RR = 1.58, 95% CI [1.30–1.91], p < 0.0001) and hemorrhagic stroke (RR = 1.43, 95% CI [1.33–1.53], p < 0.00001).
Subgroup analyses of case–control studies confirmed significant associations in Europe and America (RR = 1.53, 95% CI [1.19–1.95], p = 0.0007), Asia (RR = 2.10, 95% CI [1.37–2.91], p = 0.0006), males (RR = 1.58, 95% CI [1.44–1.73], p < 0.00001), females (RR = 1.38, 95% CI [1.27–1.51], p < 0.00001), and participants aged < 50 years (RR = 1.50, 95% CI [1.24–1.83], p < 0.0001).
Prospective cohort studies showed no statistically significant difference in stroke incidence between perceived stress and control groups (RR = 1.29, 95% CI [0.83–2.02], p = 0.26, I2 = 99%), with no significant associations for ischemic stroke (RR = 0.94, 95% CI [0.75–1.17], p = 0.57) or hemorrhagic stroke (RR = 0.97, 95% CI [0.73–1.29], p = 0.83).

Structured PICO

Does perceived psychosocial stress increase the risk of stroke?

Population

25 studies (11 case-control, 14 prospective cohort) pooling 220,957 participants. Case-control studies included 21,024 stroke patients and 22,408 healthy controls matched for other characteristics. Prospective cohort studies included 107,741 participants in the perceived stress group and 69,784 in the control group.

Intervention

Perceived psychosocial stress (exposure)

Comparator

Non-perceived psychosocial stress or healthy individuals without stroke

Outcome

Incidence of stroke (including ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke)hard clinical

While retrospective case-control studies suggest perceived psychosocial stress is a risk factor for stroke, prospective cohort studies fail to confirm a statistically significant association, highlighting a major discrepancy based on study design.

Limitations

High heterogeneity among included studies (I2 = 84% to 99%)

Discussion

No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.

Implication

Should not yet change stroke risk assessment; leaves open causal role pending consistent prospective evidence.

Cite This Study

Wang et al. (2026) studied this question. Case–control studies indicated that perceived psychosocial stress increases stroke risk by 58% (RR = 1.58), particularly in patients under 50 years old.

synapsesocial.com/papers/696321df91e05aa366cb82a1 https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2025.1639076

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The correlation between perceived psychosocial stress and stroke: a meta-analysis

Key Points

Structured PICO

Limitations

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

The correlation between perceived psychosocial stress and stroke: a meta-analysis

Key Points

Structured PICO

Limitations

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider