The Risk of Ischemic Stroke Significantly Increases in Individuals with Blepharitis: A Population-based Study Involving 424,161 Patients

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: To investigate the association of blepharitis and ischemic stroke (IS). Methods This retrospective cohort study used population-based data in Taiwan. We identified 424,161 patients with blepharitis between 2008 and 2018. Results 424,161 pairs of blepharitis cohort and non-blepharitis cohort were 1:1 propensity score matched for statistical analysis. Patients with blepharitis had significantly increased risks of IS compared with the individuals without blepharitis (adjusted hazard ratio 1.32, 95% CI 1.29–1.34, P < 0.001). A significantly higher risk of IS was observed in blepharitis cohort with a previous diagnosis of cancer than in those without cancer (P for interaction < 0.0001). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis revealed the cumulative incidence of IS increased in the blepharitis cohort compared with that in the non-blepharitis cohort in 10 years (log-rank P < 0.001). The follow-up period analysis further indicated 1.41-fold adjusted hazard (95% CI 1.35 − 1.46, P < 0.001) of IS within a year after blepharitis diagnosis. Conclusions Patients with blepharitis had an elevated risk of developing IS. Further research is required to determine the causal relationship between blepharitis and IS, as well as the underlying mechanism.