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Leonardo Roever: Does Illicit Drug Use Cause Stroke? Insights from Observational and Genetic Studies
Jul 22, 2026, 21:51

Leonardo Roever: Does Illicit Drug Use Cause Stroke? Insights from Observational and Genetic Studies

Leonardo Roever, CEO of Brazilian Evidence-Based Health Network, shared on LinkedIn about a recent article by Megan Ritson et al, published in IJS, adding:

”Does illicit drug use increase stroke risk? A systematic review, meta-analyses, and Mendelian randomization analysis.

Epidemiological evidence suggests associations between substance use disorders and stroke risk, but it remains unclear whether these associations stem from confounding factors or represent true causal relationships.

The aim of this review was to conduct a meta-analysis of observational evidence regarding illicit substance use and stroke risk, applying Mendelian randomization (MR) to assess the potential causal effects of substance dependence on stroke subtypes.

The study results provide consistent observational and genetic evidence that various forms of substance abuse increase stroke risk—particularly cocaine, amphetamines, and cannabis.

These findings suggest important public health implications for developing prevention strategies targeting substance use disorders to mitigate stroke risk.”

Title: Does illicit drug use increase stroke risk? A systematic review, meta-analyses, and Mendelian randomization analysis

Authors: Megan Ritson, Hugh S. Markus, Eric L. Harshfield

Leonardo Roever: Does Illicit Drug Use Cause Stroke? Insights from Observational and Genetic Studies

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