Objective:

To examine the association between stimulant use disorder and the risk of hospital admission for stroke using data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database for the years 2016-2019.

Background:

There has been a consistent uptick in amphetamine-related hospitalizations in the US, with elevated adjusted in-hospital mortality rates. This study endeavors to clarify the relationship between stimulant use and the incidence of stroke-related hospitalizations.

Design/Methods:

Data from the NIS database was reviewed. Admissions with a stimulant use disorder diagnosis were identified using the ICD-10 code F14. A multivariate logistic regression was conducted to assess the impact of stimulant use disorder on the likelihood of stroke admission, while controlling for other variables like substance use, tobacco use, and hypertension.

Results:

Out of 24,219,833 adults, 305,230 had a diagnosis of stimulant use disorder. Of these, 502,689 were admitted for either hemorrhagic or ischemic strokes. Stimulant use disorder, particularly in adults under 45, correlated with a significantly higher risk of admission for multiple stroke types, with hemorrhagic strokes bearing the most significant risk. Demographics revealed that patients with stimulant use disorder admitted for stroke were typically younger, male, and more often from economically disadvantaged zip codes. Additionally, they were more frequently hospitalized in the western region of the US. Notably, the mortality rate for stimulant use disorders during admission for stroke was higher than the general population. 

Conclusions:

Stimulant use disorder significantly elevates the risk of stroke-related hospital admissions, with the risk being particularly pronounced for hemorrhagic strokes in adults under 45. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive interventions and treatments targeting stimulant use disorder to curtail the rising stroke incidences among younger populations. Further research is essential to understand the stroke mechanisms in stimulant use disorder.