The Relationship between Asian Dust Exposureand Ischemic Stroke Incidence in High-Risk Patients

Abstract

The underlying risk factors for stroke, such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and atrial fibrillation, have been established. However, the factors that trigger stroke in patients at high risk are still uncertain. Recent epidemiological studies have documented the possibility that Asian dust may be related to diseases and health conditions. Recently, utilizing data from the Fukuoka Stroke Registry(FSR), we have shown that Asian dust exposure is associated with the incidence of atherothrombotic brain infarction, a subtype of ischemic stroke. Several studies have reported small but statistically significant associations between short-term particulate matter (PM) exposure and incidence of ischemic stroke. Several biological pathways responsible for PM-associated cardiovascular diseases have been explored, including endothelial dysfunction, production of oxygen species, hypercoagulability, induction of arrhythmia, and systemic inflammation. Because the concentrations of PM were higher in the periods with Asian dust than those in the periods without Asian dust, PM may contribute, at least in part, to the occurrence of atherothrombotic infarction in response to Asian dust exposure. Further studies are needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms.