The impact of alcohol consumption on stroke prognosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Stroke imposes a substantial global burden. Alcohol consumption is an important and potentially modifiable risk factor, yet its impact on stroke prognosis across different follow-up periods and stroke types remains inconsistent across studies. A study systematically evaluated the association between alcohol consumption and stroke prognosis across various follow-up durations and stroke subtypes.
Multiple databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and others, were systematically searched for relevant studies published from inception to January 2024. 58 studies were evaluated for their methodological.
The study found that alcohol consumption significantly affects stroke prognosis across various follow-up periods and stroke types. At short-term follow-up, it increases the risk of poor prognosis in stroke patients (OR 1.62; 95% CI 1.32–1.99). In short- to medium-term follow-up, alcohol consumption is associated with increased risks of stroke recurrence (OR 1.40; 95% CI 1.10–1.78) and poor prognosis (OR 1.74; 95% CI 1.21–2.49). Long-term follow-up reveals a heightened risk of death in stroke patients who consume alcohol (OR 5.14; 95% CI 1.96–13.49). When strokes are categorised as ischaemic or haemorrhagic, alcohol consumption poses significant risks. It increases the risk of poor prognosis in ischaemic stroke patients (OR 1.51; 95% CI 1.23–1.86), while also raising the risk of death (OR 1.77; 95% CI 1.26–2.48) and poor prognosis in patients with haemorrhagic stroke (OR 1.88; 95% CI 1.22–2.91).
Alcohol consumption was associated with an elevated relative risk of mortality, recurrence, or poor prognosis in stroke patients across stroke types and during specific follow-up periods. Future studies should more fully explore the effect of alcohol consumption on stroke prognosis in different populations and regions.
Source: Wu, W., Zhao, T., Gao, L., Fan, T., Tian, L., & Wu, X. (2026) The impact of alcohol consumption on stroke prognosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health.