Key result
Low geomagnetic activity linked to higher stroke risk, including ~151% greater ICH risk.
Why the study?
The possible association between space weather events and the incidence of different stroke subtypes was unclear.
Does exposure to space weather events increase the incidence of different subtypes of stroke?
Observational (n=9,226)
No
Does exposure to space weather events increase the incidence of different subtypes of stroke?
Space weather events, including geomagnetic storms and low geomagnetic activity, may be associated with an increased risk of various stroke subtypes.
May link space weather to stroke subtypes; hypothesis-generating and requires prospective validation before any clinical consideration.
The aim of our study was to detect the possible association between daily numbers of ischemic strokes (ISs) and hemorrhagic strokes (HSs) and space weather events. The daily numbers of ISs, subarachnoid hemorrhages (SAHs), and intracerebral hemorrhages (ICHs) were obtained from Kaunas Stroke Register during the period of 1986 to 2010. We used time- and season-stratified multivariate Poisson regression. We analyzed data of 597 patients with SAH, 1147 patients with ICH, and 7482 patients with IS. Strong/severe geomagnetic storms (GSs) were associated with an increase in the risk of SAH (by 58%) and HS (by 30%). Only GSs occurring during 6:00–12:00 UT were associated with the risk of IS. Low geomagnetic activity (GMA) was associated with the risk of ICH, HS, and IS (Rate Ratios with 95% CI were 2.51 (1.50–4.21), 2.33 (1.50–3.61), and 1.36 (1.03–1.81), respectively). The days of ≥ X9 class solar flare (SF) were associated with a 39% higher risk of IS. The risk of HS occurrence was greater than two times higher on the day after the maximum of a strong/severe solar proton event (SPE). These results showed that GSs, very low GMA, and stronger SFs and SPEs may be associated with an increased risk of different subtypes of stroke.
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Venclovienė et al. (2021) conducted an observational in Ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke (n=9,226). Space weather events (geomagnetic storms, solar flares, solar proton events) vs. Periods of normal geomagnetic activity / absence of space weather events was evaluated on Incidence of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) during low geomagnetic activity (RR 2.51, 95% CI 1.50-4.21). Space weather events and low geomagnetic activity were associated with an increased risk of stroke subtypes, including a 2.51-fold higher risk of intracerebral hemorrhage during low geomagnetic activity.
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