Influence of chronic ethanol consumption on the neurological severity in patients with acute cerebral ischemia

Abstract

Background and purpose: We tested the hypothesis that excessive chronic ethanol consumption is associated with more severe ischemic strokes.

Methods: We recruited patients with supratentorial cerebral ischemia within 48 hours of symptom onset. We defined heavy drinkers by a weekly consumption of ethanol of ≥300 g and severe strokes by a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score≥6.

Results: Of 436 patients, 60 were heavy drinkers. Being a heavy drinker was independently associated with baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores≥6 (odds ratio, 2.35; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-5.26; P=0.023) at the logistic regression analysis. This result was not modified with the propensity analysis.

Conclusion: An excessive chronic ethanol consumption is associated with higher baseline stroke severity.

Keywords: NIHSS score; alcohol; cerebral ischemia; stroke severity.