BMI affects survival after stroke

People with a higher BMI are more likely to survive a stroke, according to findings being presented at the upcoming American Academy of Neurology Meeting.

“A survival advantage among individuals with higher body mass index has been observed for diverse acute illnesses and termed the ‘obesity paradox.’ Prior stroke studies of the obesity paradox phenomenon have been underpowered and yielded mixed results,” Zuolu Liu MD, a neurologist at the University of California, Los Angeles, and colleagues wrote.

Researchers analyzed 3-month outcomes and BMIs of 1,033 patients (mean age, 71 years; 45.1% female; mean BMI, 27.5 kg/m²) who had an acute ischemic stroke.

According to a press release, Liu and colleagues found that compared with those with a normal BMI level, those considered severely obese were 62% less likely to die after the stroke, those considered obese were 46% less likely to die, and those considered overweight were 15% less likely to die. However, those with a normal BMI level were 67% more likely to die after the stroke than those whose BMI fell into the underweight category.

People with a higher BMI are more likely to survive a stroke, according to findings being presented at the upcoming American Academy of Neurology Meeting.

Source:Adobe

“One possible explanation is that people who are overweight or obese may have a nutritional reserve that may help them survive during prolonged illness,” Liu said in the release. “More research is needed to investigate the relationship between body mass index and stroke.” – by Janel Miller

Reference: Liu Z, et al. “The obesity paradox characterizes outcome from acute ischemic stroke: Evidence from 1,033 patients.” Presented at: American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting; May 4-10; Philadelphia.

Disclosures: Healio Primary Care Today was unable to determine the authors’ relevant financial disclosures prior to publication.