Asthma and Risk of Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background: Several studies have suggested that asthma is associated with an increased risk of stroke. However, the results are inconsistent. The aim of this study is to investigate the relation of asthma and the risk of stroke through a systematic review and meta-analysis of published research.

Methods: Pertinent studies were identified by a search of the PubMed and the Web of Science databases to June 2015. Study-specific hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using fixed-effect or random-effect models when appropriate. Associations were tested in subgroups representing different participants and study characteristics. Publication bias was assessed with Egger's test.

Results: Five articles comprising 524,637 participants and 6031 stroke cases were eligible for inclusion. Asthma was associated significantly with increased risk of stroke, and the pooled HR was 1.32 (95% CI: 1.13, 1.54, I(2)=80.4%). Subgroup analyses revealed that the association between asthma and stroke risk was stronger among female patients (HR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.15-1.76) and prospective cohort study design (HR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.21-1.91).

Conclusion: Asthma is associated with a significantly increased risk of stroke. This finding may have clinical and public health importance.