Methamphetamine use increases the risk of cerebral small vessel disease in young patients with acute ischemic stroke

Methamphetamine use causes spikes in blood pressure. Chronic hypertension is a major risk factor for cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD). The aim of this study is to investigate whether methamphetamine use increases the risk of cSVD. Consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke at our medical center were screened for methamphetamine use and evidence of cSVD on MRI of the brain. Methamphetamine use was identified by self-reported history and/or positive urine drug screen. Propensity score matching was used to select non-methamphetamine controls. Sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the effect of methamphetamine use on cSVD. Among 1369 eligible patients, 61 (4.5%) were identified to have a history of methamphetamine use and/or positive urine drug screen. Compared with the non-methamphetamine group (n = 1308), the patients with methamphetamine abuse were significantly younger (54.5 ± 6.9 vs. 70 ± 12.4, p  < 0.001), male (77% vs. 54%, p  < 0.001) and White (78.7% vs. 51%, p  < 0.001). Sensitivity analysis showed that methamphetamine use was associated with increased white matter hyperintensities, lacunes, and total burden of cSVD. The association was independent of age, sex, acute hypertension, and stroke severity. Our findings suggest that methamphetamine use increases the risk of cSVD in young patients with acute ischemic stroke.