An observational study published in Neurology indicated a greater mortality due to stroke among Hospitalized stroke patients living in areas with high air pollution. The size of ambient particulate matter (PM) and the length of exposure influenced the risk level.

It was observed that smaller particles (PM1) and longer-term pollution exposures had the most significant effect sizes. The link was higher in people who had ischemic strokes rather than hemorrhagic strokes. 

In-hospital deaths due to stroke accounted for 32,140 deaths out of 3,109,634 stroke hospitalizations (case fatality rate 1.03 per cent). 71% cases had been because of ischemic stroke. The most common exposure was to PM10 (38 %), followed by PM2.5 (26 %), and PM1 (17 %). Longer-term exposures were found in 18%, 12% and 8% of cases, respectively, prior to the stroke. The authors of the study cautioned that the connections discovered in the study may differ for patients who are not hospitalized for stroke.

In-hospital stroke-related fatalities are linked to PM pollution. Stroke patients health outcomes may be improved by strategies aimed at lowering PM pollution. (MedPage Today May 25, 2022)