“Although the relative risk of ischemic stroke is approximately three times higher in those with a history of OCD, the absolute risk is small, less than 1% over the course of the follow-up period,” he said.
That translates to one additional stroke over the follow-up period among those with OCD.
Goldstein also said that the findings may be affected by factors that the researchers could not control for, which could weaken the link they identified.
He pointed out that there was no assessment of the types or effectiveness of risk factor controls over time in reducing stroke odds.
The study was conducted in Taiwan, and more research would be needed to learn if the results would be similar in other populations, Goldstein added.
“Nonetheless, the results should prompt further study of the relationship between OCD and stroke risk,” he said.
The findings were published online May 27 in the journal Stroke.
More information
For more about stroke, visit the American Stroke Association.
Article by HealthDay News
