Background Chronic inflammatory airway disease (CIAD) has emerged as
independent risk factor for cardiovascular mortality and ischemic stroke but
the impact of co-existing CIAD in patients with ischemic stroke is less clear.
Methods We retrospectively analyzed 1013 patients with acute ischemic stroke
who were consecutively admitted to the Department of Neurology, Charité -
Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany within one year. Mean follow-up was 80
months (IQR 32–85 months). Using multivariable regression models we analyzed
the impact of CIAD (defined as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma
bronchiale) on stroke severity and outcome. Results Co-existing CIAD was
evident in 7.1 % (n = 72) of all patients with acute ischemic stroke. Baseline
characteristics of stroke patients with CIAD did not differ significantly from
ischemic stroke patients without CIAD. Age (OR 1.17 [95 % CI 1.03-1.37] per
decade), atrial fibrillation (OR 3.43 [95 % CI 2.47-4.78]) and coronary artery
disease (OR 1.51 [95 % CI 1.07–2.14]) but not a history of CIAD (p = 0.30)
were associated with severe stroke (NIHSS≥11) on hospital admission. Age (HR
1.70 [95 % CI 1.53-1.87] per decade), peripheral artery disease (HR 1.91 [95 %
CI 1.35-2.7]), stroke severity at hospital admission (NIHSS per point HR 1.08
[95 % CI 1.06-1.10]), and history of CIAD (HR 1.43 [95 % CI 1.02-2.00]) were
independently associated with mortality during long-term follow-up. However,
CIAD was not significantly associated with short-term mortality after stroke.
Conclusion Co-existing CIAD showed no significant association with stroke
severity at hospital admission and early mortality after ischemic stroke. CIAD
was negatively associated with long-term survival after ischemic stroke
