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TL;DR
This retrospective cohort study found that patients with blepharitis had a significantly higher risk of developing ischemic stroke compared to those without blepharitis. The association was observed over a 10-year follow-up period.
PLOS ONE · 11 authors, 9 centres
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This retrospective cohort study found that patients with blepharitis had a significantly higher risk of developing ischemic stroke compared to those without blepharitis. The association was observed over a 10-year follow-up period.
This nationwide retrospective cohort study used propensity score-matched population data to investigate the association between blepharitis and ischemic stroke. It included 424,161 matched pairs of patients with and without blepharitis. The primary analysis used a multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards model, finding patients with blepharitis had a significantly increased risk of ischemic stroke (adjusted hazard ratio 1.32, 95% CI 1.29–1.34). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed a higher cumulative incidence of ischemic stroke over 10 years. A subgroup analysis indicated the risk was particularly elevated in blepharitis patients with a prior cancer diagnosis. The study's limitations include its retrospective design, which shows correlation not causation, and the inability to assess blepharitis severity. The findings suggest an association that warrants further research into the underlying mechanisms.