J David Cassidy1, Eleanor Boyle2, Pierre Côté3, Sheilah Hogg-Johnson4, Susan J Bondy5, Scott Haldeman6. 1. Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, Faculty of Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Division of Health Care and Outcomes Research, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: dcassidy@health.sdu.dk. 2. Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, Faculty of Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 3. Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ontario Institute of Technology and UOIT-CMCC Centre for Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. 4. Institute for Work and Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Biostatistics, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 5. Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 6. Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, California.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chiropractic manipulation is a popular treatment for neck pain and headache, but may increase the risk of cervical artery dissection and stroke. Patients with carotid artery dissection can present with neck pain and/or headache before experiencing a stroke. These are common symptoms seen by both chiropractors and primary care physicians (PCPs). We aimed to assess the risk of carotid artery stroke after chiropractic care by comparing association between chiropractic and PCP visits and subsequent stroke. METHODS: A population-based, case-crossover study was undertaken in Ontario, Canada. All incident cases of carotid artery stroke admitted to hospitals over a 9-year period were identified. Cases served as their own controls. Exposures to chiropractic and PCP services were determined from health billing records. RESULTS: We compared 15,523 cases to 62,092 control periods using exposure windows of 1, 3, 7, and 14 days prior to the stroke. Positive associations were found for both chiropractic and PCP visits and subsequent stroke in patients less than 45 years of age. These associations tended to increase when analyses were limited to visits for neck pain and headache-related diagnoses. There was no significant difference between chiropractic and PCP risk estimates. We found no association between chiropractic visits and stroke in those 45 years of age or older. CONCLUSIONS: We found no excess risk of carotid artery stroke after chiropractic care. Associations between chiropractic and PCP visits and stroke were similar and likely due to patients with early dissection-related symptoms seeking care prior to developing their strokes.
BACKGROUND: Chiropractic manipulation is a popular treatment for neck pain and headache, but may increase the risk of cervical artery dissection and stroke. Patients with carotid artery dissection can present with neck pain and/or headache before experiencing a stroke. These are common symptoms seen by both chiropractors and primary care physicians (PCPs). We aimed to assess the risk of carotid artery stroke after chiropractic care by comparing association between chiropractic and PCP visits and subsequent stroke. METHODS: A population-based, case-crossover study was undertaken in Ontario, Canada. All incident cases of carotid artery stroke admitted to hospitals over a 9-year period were identified. Cases served as their own controls. Exposures to chiropractic and PCP services were determined from health billing records. RESULTS: We compared 15,523 cases to 62,092 control periods using exposure windows of 1, 3, 7, and 14 days prior to the stroke. Positive associations were found for both chiropractic and PCP visits and subsequent stroke in patients less than 45 years of age. These associations tended to increase when analyses were limited to visits for neck pain and headache-related diagnoses. There was no significant difference between chiropractic and PCP risk estimates. We found no association between chiropractic visits and stroke in those 45 years of age or older. CONCLUSIONS: We found no excess risk of carotid artery stroke after chiropractic care. Associations between chiropractic and PCP visits and stroke were similar and likely due to patients with early dissection-related symptoms seeking care prior to developing their strokes.
Authors: Lei Zhang; Ji Qi; Ya-Jun Jing; Bo Qin; Yi-Kai Li; Gang Liu; Xiao-Guang Guo; Shi-Jie Fu Journal: Nan Fang Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao Date: 2017-12-20
Authors: Ian D Coulter; Patricia M Herman; Mallika Kommareddi; Eric L Hurwitz; Paul G Shekelle Journal: Spine (Phila Pa 1976) Date: 2021-10-01 Impact factor: 3.241
Authors: Patricia M Herman; Howard Vernon; Eric L Hurwitz; Paul G Shekelle; Margaret D Whitley; Ian D Coulter Journal: Clin J Pain Date: 2020-04 Impact factor: 3.423
Authors: Patricia M Herman; Margaret D Whitley; Gery W Ryan; Eric L Hurwitz; Ian D Coulter Journal: BMC Musculoskelet Disord Date: 2019-11-07 Impact factor: 2.362
Authors: P M Wayne; C Bernstein; M Kowalski; J P Connor; K Osypiuk; C R Long; R Vining; E Macklin; P M Rist Journal: Contemp Clin Trials Commun Date: 2020-01-22