Table 1. Characteristics of chiropractic VBA patients in case series and survey studies |
 | Citation | Article type | Demographics | Prior health conditions | Sample | Results | Data sources | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hufnagel et al,8 1999, Journal of Neurology | Cases series | Mean age, 34.0 y (27-46 y); 70% female | 5 (50%) with no vascular risk factor | N = 10 (8 are VBA stroke) | 8 with VBA stroke; onset ranging from immediate to 2 d | Clinical course and neuroradiological findings from 1 neurologist institute | |
| Haldeman et al,9 2001, CMAJ | Case series | Mean age, 42.5 y (24 – 75 y); 74% female | 17.4% hypertension | N = 23 (over a 10-y period, 1988-1997) | 65% onset of stroke after neck manipulation within 20 min | A chiropractic malpractice insurance carrier (CCPA); survey to 337 chiropractors | |
| 17.4% migraine | | ||||||
| 4.3% oral contraceptive use | | ||||||
| 22% smoking | | ||||||
| 0% diabetes | | ||||||
| Haldeman et al,10 2002, Journal of Neurology | Medical legal case series | Mean age, 36.3 y (SD, 6.1 y); 64% female | 92% with history of head or cervical spine complaints | N = 64 (legal cases) | 85% of 61 cases with neck manipulation; missing information in the remaining 3 cases | Retrospective medical legal review over a 16-y period, 1978-1994 | |
| 48 cases with an onset of the stroke within 30 min after spinal manipulation | | ||||||
| Reuter et al,11 2006, Journal of Neurology | Survey of all university-affiliated neurological departments within Germany | Mean age, 40.0 y (SD, 11 y); 66% female | 61% had general cardiovascular risk factor | N = 36 (from 13 neurological departments) | 55% of patients with clinical symptoms with VAD within 12 h after neck manipulation | Countrywide survey at neurological departments of all medical schools in Germany | |
| 27% with more than 1 risk factor | | ||||||
| 17% with migraine | | ||||||
| No neck or head trauma before chirotherapy | | ||||||
| Lee et al,12 1995, Journal of Neurology | Survey of neurologists | Age, 21-60 y; evenly divided between men and women | Information was not provided | N = 56 (obtained from 37 neurologists) | 21% and 16% with moderate and severe VBA stroke; 1 death | Survey of 37 neurologists who have seen VBA stroke followed by neck manipulation in past 2 y | |
| Norris et al,13 2000, CMAJ | Survey of stroke physicians | Mean age, 44 y (16-87 y); 40% female | Information was not provided | N = 74 (reported 72% with VBA stroke) | 28% with onset of stroke after neck manipulation | Survey data collected from stroke physicians | |