Risk of Vertebrobasilar Stroke and Chiropractic Care
J. David Cassidy, DC, PhD, DrMedSc, Eleanor Boyle, PhD, Pierre Coˆte´, DC, PhD, Yaohua He, MD, PhD, Sheilah Hogg-Johnson, PhD, Frank L. Silver, MD, FRCPC and Susan J. Bondy, PhD
Objective of Study
To investigate associations between chiropractic visits and vertebrobasilar artery (VBA) stroke and to contrast this with primary care physician (PCP) visits and VBA stroke.
Conclusion of study
VBA stroke is a very rare event in the population. The increased risks of VBA stroke associated with chiropractic and PCP visits is likely due to patients with headache and neck pain from VBA dissection seeking care before their stroke. We found no evidence of excess risk of VBA stroke associated with chiropractic care compared to primary care.