Quality of life of patients after stroke in county Osijek-Baranya

The purpose of this prospective study was to determine quality of life of patients after stroke in Osijek-Baranya County. The research included 161 patients (82 men and 79 women) who had their first acute stroke and were treated at Department of Neurology, Osijek University Hospital Center The Barthel Index (BI) was used to assess functional deficiency and SS-QOL (Stroke-Specific Quality of Life) questionnaire was used for self-evaluation of patients' physical and mental health. The first assessment was carried out in the acute phase of the disease, and control assessments 30, 90 and 180 days after the stroke. Mean Barthel Index score was higher at every successive measurement (55, 80, 95, 95). All BI items were statistically significant (Friedman, p < 0.001) apart from dressing and bowel control. BI score indicated greater dependence in women in all assessments except for those taken 90 days after onset of symptoms (chi2-test, p = 0.111). Mean values of SS-QOL for physical health were: 105.2, 98.3, 105.7, 117.5 and for mental health: 64.24, 57.9, 64.3, 68.1. Statistically significant difference was present in men, both for physical health (Friedman p = 0.009) and total SS-QOL (Friedman p = 0.014), while in women there was no statistically significant difference between the measurements (Friedman p = 0.719). The research showed that stroke has significant influence on basic and specific daily life activities and interferes with the quality of life of stroke patients. Women have lower level of independence. Patients who live with their families make better evaluation of their physical and mental health.     

脑卒中后抑郁的发生率与危险因素的研究

目的:调查脑卒中患者抑郁的发生率,分析影响脑卒中后抑郁(post-stroke depression,PSD)发生率的相关因素。方法:随机调查400例符合纳入标准的脑卒中后的患者,采用自行设计的基本资料调查表收集患者的一般资料,采用抑郁自评量表(SDS)和汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD)17项版本评定患者的抑郁情况,采用Barthel生活能力指数(B1)对患者日常生活能力评分,采用改良的爱丁堡斯堪的那维亚神经功能缺损评分表(SSS)对神经功能缺损评分(NFA)。结果:PSD总发生率为49.5%,其中轻度抑郁为26.5%,中度抑郁为16.0%,重度抑郁为7.0%,影响脑卒中后抑郁发生的相关因素有既往抑郁病史(P=0.000)、性别(P=0.046)、社会交往(P=0.000)、家庭关系(P=0.000)、照料人(P=0.000)、既往患病(P=0.000)、合并疾病种类(P=0.000)、卒中后病程(P=0.000)、日常生活能力(P=0.000)和神经功能缺损(P=0.000)。结论:脑卒中后抑郁的发生可能是多种因素共同作用的结果。     

黄芪桂枝五物汤联合调神益气针法治疗脑卒中后疲劳患者的临床研究

摘要 目的：探讨黄芪桂枝五物汤联合调神益气针法治疗脑卒中后疲劳（PSF）的临床疗效。方法：选择2020年10月至2022年10月我院收治的80例PSF患者，随机数字表法将患者分为两组，对照组（40例）采用治疗黄芪桂枝五物汤治疗2周，观察组（40例）采用治疗黄芪桂枝五物汤联合调神益气针法治疗2周。比较两组疗效、疲劳程度、运动功能、生活质量以及不良反应差异。结果：观察组治疗总有效率高于对照组（90.00% vs 62.50%，P＜0.05）。两组治疗后疲劳严重程度量表（FSS）评分均较治疗前降低（P＜0.05），Fugl-Meyer上肢和下肢评分、脑卒中专用生活质量量表（SS-QOL）、改良Barthel 指数（MBI）评分均较治疗前增高（P＜0.05）。观察组治疗后FSS评分低于对照组（P＜0.05），Fugl-Meyer上肢和下肢评分、SS-QOL、MBI评分均高于对照组（P＜0.05）。两组不良反应发生率比较差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。结论：黄芪桂枝五物汤联合调神益气针法可更有效地改善疲劳症状和运动功能，提高生活质量。     

Determinants of Fatigue after First-Ever Ischemic Stroke during Acute Phase

Background and Purpose

Fatigue after stroke is common and has a negative impact on rehabilitation and survival. However, its pathogenesis and contributing factors remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing the occurrence of fatigue after first-ever ischemic stroke in acute phase.

Methods

We examined 265 consecutive patients with first-ever ischemic stroke during acute phase (within 2 weeks) in two tertiary stroke care hospitals in Henan, China. We documented patients’ demographic and clinical characteristics through face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires and reviews of medical records. Post-stroke fatigue was defined as a score of ≥4 using the Fatigue Severity Scale. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine post-stroke fatigue in relation to socio-demographic, lifestyle, clinical characteristics and family function.

Results

About 40% first-ever ischemic stroke patients experienced post-stroke fatigue in acute phase. Post-stroke fatigue was associated with lack of exercise before stroke (adjusted odds ratio 4.01, 95% CI 1.95–8.24), family dysfunction (2.63, 1.20–5.80), depression (2.39, 1.02–5.58), the presence of pre-stroke fatigue (4.89, 2.13–11.21), use of sedative medications (4.14, 1.58–10.88), coronary heart disease (3.38, 1.46–7.79) and more severe Modified Rankin Scale (2.55, 1.65–3.95).

Conclusions

The causes of post-stroke fatigue are multifaceted. More physical exercise, improving family function, reducing depression and appropriate use of sedative medications may be helpful in preventing post-stroke fatigue.     

Effect of Beta-Blocker Therapy on the Risk of Infections and Death after Acute Stroke – A Historical Cohort Study

BackgroundInfections are a frequent cause for prolonged hospitalization and increased mortality after stroke. Recent studies revealed a stroke-induced depression of the peripheral immune system associated with an increased susceptibility for infections. In a mice model for stroke, this immunosuppressive effect was reversible after beta-blocker administration. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of beta-blocker therapy on the risk of infections and death after stroke in humans.Methods625 consecutive patients with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, admitted to a university hospital stroke unit, were included in this historical cohort study. The effect of beta-blocker therapy on post-stroke pneumonia, urinary tract infections and death was investigated using multivariable Poisson and Cox regression models.Results553 (88.3%) patients were admitted with ischemic stroke, the remaining 72 (11.7%) had a hemorrhagic stroke. Median baseline NIHSS was 8 (IQR 5–16) points. 301 (48.2%) patients received beta-blocker therapy. There was no difference in the risk of post-stroke pneumonia between patients with and without beta-blocker therapy (Rate Ratio = 1.00, 95%CI 0.77–1.30, p = 0.995). Patients with beta-blocker therapy showed a decreased risk for urinary tract infections (RR = 0.65, 95%CI 0.43–0.98, p = 0.040). 7-days mortality did not differ between groups (Hazard Ratio = 1.36, 95%CI 0.65–2.77, p = 0.425), while patients with beta-blocker therapy showed a higher 30-days mortality (HR = 1.93, 95%CI 1.20–3.10, p = 0.006).ConclusionsBeta-blocker therapy did not reduce the risk for post-stroke pneumonia, but significantly reduced the risk for urinary tract infections. Different immune mechanisms underlying both diseases might explain these findings that need to be confirmed in future studies.     

Preventive antibacterial therapy in acute ischemic stroke: a randomized controlled trial

Background

Pneumonia is a major risk factor of death after acute stroke. In a mouse model, preventive antibacterial therapy with moxifloxacin not only prevents the development of post-stroke infections, it also reduces mortality, and improves neurological outcome significantly. In this study we investigate whether this approach is effective in stroke patients.

Methods

Preventive ANtibacterial THERapy in acute Ischemic Stroke (PANTHERIS) is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 80 patients with severe, non-lacunar, ischemic stroke (NIHSS>11) in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory. Patients received either intravenous moxifloxacin (400 mg daily) or placebo for 5 days starting within 36 hours after stroke onset. Primary endpoint was infection within 11 days. Secondary endpoints included neurological outcome, survival, development of stroke-induced immunodepression, and induction of bacterial resistance.

Findings

On intention-to treat analysis (79 patients), the infection rate at day 11 in the moxifloxacin treated group was 15.4% compared to 32.5% in the placebo treated group (p = 0.114). On per protocol analysis (n = 66), moxifloxacin significantly reduced infection rate from 41.9% to 17.1% (p = 0.032). Stroke associated infections were associated with a lower survival rate. In this study, neurological outcome and survival were not significantly influenced by treatment with moxifloxacin. Frequency of fluoroquinolone resistance in both treatment groups did not differ. On logistic regression analysis, treatment arm as well as the interaction between treatment arm and monocytic HLA-DR expression (a marker for immunodepression) at day 1 after stroke onset was independently and highly predictive for post-stroke infections.

Interpretation

PANTHERIS suggests that preventive administration of moxifloxacin is superior in reducing infections after severe non-lacunar ischemic stroke compared to placebo. In addition, the results emphasize the pivotal role of immunodepression in developing post-stroke infections.

Trial Registration

Controlled-Trials.com ISRCTN74386719     

精神病患者家属心理健康状况调查研究

目的:探讨精神病患者家属的心理健康状况,并找出相关的影响因素.方法:对中山市91位住院以及门诊精神科病人家属进行问卷调查和访谈,采用的是症状自评量(SCL-90)和家庭疾病负担量表(Family Burden Scale of Disease).结果:家属心理健康状况与患者给家庭带来的负担存在明显的相关,患者患病对配偶的心理健康的影响明显大于对其他亲人或者朋友的影响(F=5.358,P＜0.001),15-30岁年龄段的SCL-90的得分要明显的高于其他年龄段(F=1.436,P＜0.01),而精神分裂症患者的家属SCL-90的得分也要明显高于其他疾病家属的得分.结论:影响家属心理健康的因素有多个方面,应该有针对性的采取家庭护理措施并加强家庭健康教育.     

Length-dependent regulation of basal myosin phosphorylation and force in detrusor smooth muscle

Urinary bladder (detrusor) smooth muscle is active in the absence of an external stimulus. Tone occurs even "at rest" during the filling phase, and it is elevated in patients with overactive bladder. This study examined the role of muscle length on tone and the level of basal myosin light chain phosphorylation (MLC(20P)). MLC(20P) was 23.9 +/- 1% (n = 58) at short lengths (zero preload; L(z)). An increase in length from L(z) to the optimal length for contraction (L(o)) caused a reduction in MLC(20P) to 15.8 +/- 1% (n = 49). Whereas 10 microM staurosporine reduced MLC(20P) at L(z), 1 microM staurosporine, a Ca(2+)-free solution, and inhibitors of MLC kinase, protein kinase C (PKC) and RhoA kinase (ROK) did not. However, 1 microM staurosporine and inhibitors of ROK inhibited MLC(20P) and tone at L(o). These data support the hypothesis that a Ca(2+)-independent kinase, possibly ZIP-like kinase, regulates MLC(20P) at L(z), whereas in detrusor stretched to L(o), additional kinases, such as ROK, participate.     

Neurofibromatosis type 1 and the "elephant man's" disease: the confusion persists: an ethnographic study

Background: In 1986, two Canadian geneticists had demonstrated that Joseph Merrick, better known as the Elephant Man, suffered from the Proteus syndrome and not from neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), as was alleged by dermatologist Parkes in 1909. Despite this and although the two diseases differ at several levels: prevalence, diagnostic criteria, clinical manifestations and transmission, the confusion between NF1 and the "elephant man's" disease continues in medical and social representations by current linguistic usage, and in some media reports. With this article, we want to 1) document the persistence and extent of this fallacy, 2) identify certain critical factors that contribute to its persistence, and 3) evaluate its impact on the health and well being of patients with NF1 and their family members.Methodology: Participant observation in the course of an ethnographic study on intergenerational dialogue between individuals with neurofibromatosis and their parents - Analysis of the scientific literature and of pinpoint articles in the print and online news media.Findings: Our findings show that because physicians have little knowledge about NF1, several print and online news media and a lot of physicians continue to make the confusion between NF1 and the disease the "elephant man". This misconception contributes to misinformation about the disease, feeding prejudices against affected patients, exacerbating the negative impacts of the disease on their quality of life, their cognitive development, their reproductive choices, as well as depriving them of proper care and appropriate genetic counseling.Conclusion: If family physicians and pediatricians were properly informed about the disease, they could refer their patients with NF1 to NF clinics and to specialists. Thus, patients and their family members would benefit from better-tailored clinical management of their cases, perhaps even optimal management. [corrected]     

The relationship between health-related quality of life and social networks among Japanese family caregivers for people with disabilities

Aims

The purpose of this study was to examine HRQOL depending on whether the participants have family members with disabilities or not. In addition, we examined the relationship between HRQOL and social networks among family caregivers in Japan.

Methods

The study has a cross-sectional design. Survey forms were distributed to 9205 people aged 30 and older who visited a dispensing pharmacy within fifteen areas of Japan. We collected data on gender, age, job status, and care giving status for persons with disabilities. Moreover, we assessed support size, social support, and HRQOL. Out of the 2029 questionnaires returned, 1763 (male: 663, female: 1100, mean age = 63.06 ± 13.34) were valid for statistical analyses (the available response rate was 19.15%).

Results

A significant difference in HRQOL was identified between family caregivers and non-family caregivers. Further, in males (N = 101), the results confirmed that only social support predicted the PCS and MCS scores, while other variables did not predict either score. On the other hand, in females (N = 144), it was found from the second step of hierarchical multiple regression analysis that only age explained the PCS score, while job status and support size explained the MCS score.

Conclusion

It is reasonable to conclude that the HRQOL of family caregivers was lower than that of non-family caregivers, and that the HRQOL of family caregivers was estimated by their social networks.

     

脑卒中后抑郁患者视黄醇结合蛋白4和结合珠蛋白的研究

目的:通过观察脑卒中后抑郁(post-stroke depression,PSD)患者血清结合珠蛋白(Hp)和视黄醇结合蛋白4(RBP4)的水平变化,进一步明确PSD可能的作用机理。方法:以缺血性脑卒中患者为研究对象,采用汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD)筛选符合条件的卒中后抑郁患者35例,选择不伴抑郁的卒中病人35例为对照组。于住院第3周,应用酶联免疫吸附法检测病人血清Hp和RBP4的水平。结果:卒中后抑郁组血清Hp和RBP4浓度[分别为(130.89±15.86)mg/L、(36.45±5.02)mg/L]较对照组[分别为(92.42±15.74)mg/L、(28.57±5.08)mg/L]明显增高,差异有显著性意义(P0.05)。脑卒中后重度抑郁组血清Hp和RBP4的水平[分别为(146.83±10.08)mg/L、(40.83±4.28)mg/L]显著高于轻度抑郁组[分别为(113.67±9.18)mg/L、(31.76±4.11)mg/L]及中度抑郁组[分别为(130.73±5.11)mg/L、(36.37±1.17)mg/L],中度抑郁组亦高于轻度抑郁组(P0.05)。血清Hp和RBP4水平与HAMD评分的Pearson相关分析表明两者显著相关(相关系数分别为:r=0.913、P0.01;r=0.800、P0.01)。结论:PSD组中血清Hp和RBP4水平相对于对照组有明显增高,并且该组中Hp和RBP4的水平变化与抑郁程度显著正相关,提示血清Hp和RBP4可能在脑卒中后抑郁的发病机理中起着重要作用,并在一定程度上可反映脑卒中后抑郁的严重程度,并指导临床诊疗。     

Adults with a history of child sexual abuse: evaluation of a pilot therapy service.

OBJECTIVE--To evaluate a pilot service offering therapy specifically to adults with a history of child sexual abuse. DESIGN--Questionnaire survey. SETTING--Specialised therapy unit, Breakfree, which offers care, therapy, and support. SUBJECTS--116 clients presenting to the service who were offered therapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Scores from three psychological questionnaires--the social activities and distress scale, the general health questionnaire, and the delusions, symptoms, and states inventory--and from questionnaires about the clients'' abuse, previous use of health services, and opinion of the Breakfree service. RESULTS--Clients had received previous help from health services and other agencies without apparent effect; they were highly distressed according to their psychological scores; and they were very frequent users of the health services. The clients showed significant improvement in their psychological scores (Wilcoxon''s matched pairs signed ranks test): social activities and distress scale, z = -3.3, P = 0.001; general health questionnaire, z = -5.8, P < 0.00001; delusions, symptoms, and states inventory, z = -4.8, P < 0.00001). This was most pronounced for those who had completed therapy by the end of the study. Whereas 82/88 clients had a score for the general health questionnaire that indicated clinical distress at the start, only 28/58 did so at the end of the study (only 17/35 among those who had finished therapy). CONCLUSIONS--This group of adults with a history of child sexual abuse were highly disturbed and previous high users of the health service. The specialist service Breakfree was effective in the short term and, if the benefits are sustained, would yield a net cost saving to the health service.     

Emotional Disorders in Pairs of Patients and Their Family Members during and after ICU Stay

Introduction

Patients and family members undergo different experiences of suffering from emotional disorders during ICU stay and after ICU discharge. The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in pairs (patient and respective family member), during stay at an open visit ICU and at 30 and 90-days post-ICU discharge. We hypothesized that there was a positive correlation with the severity of symptoms among pairs and different patterns of suffering over time.

Methods

A prospective study was conducted in a 22-bed adult general ICU including patients with >48 hours stay. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was completed by the pairs (patients/respective family member). Interviews were made by phone at 30 and 90-days post-ICU discharge using the Impact of Event Scale (IES) and the HADS. Multivariate models were constructed to predict IES score at 30 days for patients and family members.

Results

Four hundred and seventy one family members and 289 patients were interviewed in the ICU forming 184 pairs for analysis. Regarding HADS score, patients presented less symptoms than family members of patients who survived and who deceased at 30 and 90-days (p<0.001). However, family members of patients who deceased scored higher anxiety and depression symptoms (p = 0.048) at 90-days when compared with family members of patients who survived. Patients and family members at 30-days had a similar IES score, but it was higher in family members at 90-days (p = 0.019). For both family members and patients, age and symptoms of anxiety and depression during ICU were the major determinants for PTSD at 30-days.

Conclusions

Anxiety, depression and PTSD symptoms were higher in family members than in the patients. Furthermore, these symptoms in family members persisted at 3 months, while they decreased in patients.     

鼻咽癌放疗患者生命质量的相关影响因素研究

目的:探讨放疗对鼻咽癌(NPC)患者生命质量的影响及影响NPC患者生命质量因素。方法:选择2011年10月到2014年10月在我院接受三维适形放疗(3DCRT)或调强放疗(IMRT)的160例首次治疗NPC患者,随机分为3DCRT组和IMRT组,各80例。3DCRT组采用3DCRT治疗,IMRT组采用IMRT治疗。采用生命质量测定量表(QLQ-C30)分别在治疗结束时、治疗结束后3个月、治疗结束后1年对两组患者进行问卷调查,分析影响NPC患者总体生命质量的危险因素。结果:在不同时间点,IMRT组患者的总体生命质量评分、社会功能评分、家庭经济评分均明显低于3DCRT组(P0.05)。经过非条件二分类Logistic回归分析显示,影响NPC患者总体生命质量的因素有放疗方式、年龄、是否同期化疗及经济状况。结论:与3DCRT组相比,IMRT能改善患者总体生命质量、社会功能等,放疗方式、年龄、是否同期化疗及经济状况是NPC患者生命质量的影响因素。     

卒中后疲劳的最新研究进展

脑卒中是仅次于缺血性心脏病位于全球第二位导致死亡的疾病,通常遗留神经功能缺损症状,需要一个长期的康复过程,而卒中后疲劳(PSF)是卒中患者的常见症状,显著影响患者的康复治疗及远期预后。卒中后疲劳发病率高,机制尚未明确,受多因素共同作用,然而一直以来并未得到医护人员及卒中患者的足够重视,目前对卒中后疲劳的相关研究甚少,缺乏有效的治疗方法。本文就卒中后疲劳的定义、发病率、诊断与评估、影响因素、发病机制及治疗统一做一综述,以增进临床医师对其了解,指导患者的康复治疗。     

冰棉棒刺激联合透刺吞咽针法对脑卒中后假性延髓麻痹致吞咽障碍患者舌骨喉复合体动度和营养状况的影响

摘要 目的：探讨冰棉棒刺激联合透刺吞咽针法对脑卒中后假性延髓麻痹（PBP）致吞咽障碍患者舌骨喉复合体动度和营养状况的影响。方法：选取2020年1月至2023年1月西部战区空军医院收治的脑卒中后PBP致吞咽障碍患者150例。采用随机数字表法分为对照组（n=75,冰棉棒刺激治疗）和实验组（n=75,对照组基础上接受透刺吞咽针法治疗）。比较两组疗效、洼田饮水试验评分和藤岛一郎吞咽障碍评分、舌骨喉复合体动度、营养状况和生活质量评分变化情况。结果：实验组的临床总有效率高于对照组（P<0.05）。实验组治疗4周后洼田饮水试验评分低于对照组,藤岛一郎吞咽障碍评分高于对照组（P<0.05）。实验组治疗4周后舌骨上移、舌骨前移、甲状软骨上移、甲状软骨前移距离大于对照组（P<0.05）。实验组治疗4周后总蛋白（TP）、血清白蛋白（ALB）、血清前蛋白（PA）高于对照组（P<0.05）。实验组治疗4周后生活质量评分高于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：冰棉棒刺激联合透刺吞咽针法治疗脑卒中后PBP致吞咽障碍患者,可有效改善患者的吞咽功能、舌骨喉复合体动度和营养状况,提高患者的生活质量。     

Plasma desmoplakin I biomarker of vascular recurrence after ischemic stroke

Stroke patients have a high risk of vascular recurrence. Biomarkers related to vascular recurrence, however, remain to be identified. The aim of the study was to identify, through proteomic analysis, plasma biomarkers associated with vascular recurrence within one year after the first ischemic stroke. This is a substudy (n = 134) of a large prospective multicenter study of post-stroke patients with an ischemic stroke. Plasma samples were obtained at inclusion. Among the identified proteins, only plasma levels of desmoplakin I were associated with protection against a new vascular event (Odds ratio: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.46-0.89; p = 0.009) after adjustment for hypercholesterolemia, statins and previous atherothrombotic stroke subtype. A greater number of patients without vascular recurrence had been treated with statins within three months of the recent ischemic stroke. Only patients who had been taking statins for 3 months after the ischemic stroke and did not suffer vascular recurrence over a follow-up year, have higher levels of desmoplakin I at the time of inclusion (Odds ratio 0.49; 95% CI: 0.28-0.86; p = 0.013). Increased desmoplakin I levels, determined within 1-3 months of the first ischemic stroke, could be a biomarker for statin responsiveness against a new vascular event in post-ischemic stroke patients taking statins early (1-3 months) after the ischemic stroke.     

Effects of passive Bi-axial ankle stretching while walking on uneven terrains in older adults with chronic stroke

Many people with stroke experience foot drop while walking. Further, walking on uneven surfaces is a common fall risk for these people that hinder with their daily life activities. In addition, a few years after a stroke, lower-limb exercises become less focused, especially the ankle joint movement. The objective of this study is to determine the gait performance of older adults with chronic stroke on an uneven surface in relation to ankle mobility after a four-week bi-axial ankle range of motion (ROM) exercise session. Fifteen older adults with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis (N = 15; mean age = 65 years) participated in a total of 12 bi-axial ankle ROM exercises that consisted of three 30-min training sessions per week for four weeks. Basic clinical tests and gait performance in even and uneven surfaces were evaluated before and after training. Participants with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis showed significantly improved ankle functions, decreased ankle stiffness (from 0.140 ± 0.059 to 0.128 ± 0.067 N·m/°; p = 0.025), and increased paretic ankle passive ROMs (dorsiflexion(DF)/plantarflexion(PF): from 27.3 ± 14.7° to 50.6 ± 10.3°, p < 0.001; inversion(INV)/eversion(EV): 21.7 ± 9.7° to 28.6 ± 9.9°; p = 0.033) after training. They exhibited significant improvements in the walking performance over an uneven surface, step kinematics (walking speed 0.257 ± 0.17 to 0.320 ± 0.178 m/s; p = 0.017; step length: 0.214 ± 0.109 to 0.243 ± 0.108 m; p = 0.009), and clinical balance and mobility (Berg balance scale: 47.2 ± 4.7 to 50.1 ± 3.9, p = 0.0001; timed-up and go test: 23.9 ± 10.3 to 20.2 ± 7.0 s, p = 0.0156). This study is the first research to investigate the walking performance on uneven surfaces in the elderly with chronic stroke in relation to the ankle biomechanical property changes.     

Risk of diabetes in stroke patients who used Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang: A nationwide propensity-score matched study

BackgroundThe utilization of traditional Chinese medicine is a common therapeutic approach for stroke patients in Chinese population, but little is known about the effect of Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang (BYHWT) on post-stroke diabetes.PurposeWe aimed to evaluate the risk of diabetes in stroke patients who used BYHWT.Study designA retrospective cohort study based on a real-world database was conducted.MethodsNewly diagnosed stroke patients receiving inpatient care from 2000 to 2004 were identified using a large-scale insurance database in Taiwan. Propensity score matching was used to select eligible stroke patients who did (n = 9849) and did not (n = 9849) receive BYHWT. These two groups were followed up until the end of 2009 to track incident diabetes. Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate the adjusted hazard rations (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for post-stroke diabetes associated with BYHWT during the follow-up period.ResultsStroke patients who used BYHWT had a reduced incidence of diabetes (14.1% vs. 19.0%, p < 0.0001) and reduced risk of diabetes (HR 0.77; 95% CI 0.72 to 0.83) compared with the control group. The association between BYHWT and reduced risk of post-stroke diabetes was significant across sexe, age group, and stroke subtype. Additionally, the use of BYHWT was associated with a reduced risk of post-stroke diabetes even after excluding the initial three months of diabetes cases in the sensitivity analysis.ConclusionsStroke patients who received BYHWT therapy had a reduced risk of diabetes, and a positive effect was observed in various subgroups. However, future clinical trials will be necessary to validate the present findings and identify the biochemical mechanism involved.     

The Disability Rate of 5-Year Post-Stroke and Its Correlation Factors: A National Survey in China

Few studies on long-term functional outcome have been conducted in post-stroke patients in China. The objective of this study was to conduct a nationwide survey in China to investigate the 5-year prevalence of post-stroke disability and its correlation factors. A total of 893 patients with ischemic stroke were included. Demographic, clinical and neuro-imaging information were collected with standardized instruments that assessed stroke severity, depression, cognitive impairment, stroke recurrence and physical disability. Disability was assessed with the modified Ranking Score (mRS), of which a cutoff score ≥2 indicates disability. Statistical analysis included chi-square tests, two independent samples t-tests, Mann-Whitney U test and multiple logistic regression analysis. The frequency of disability in this study population was 45%. Multivariate analyses revealed that older age, lower education level, previous history of stroke, stroke severity at admission, depression, cognitive impairment at 3 months, and stroke recurrence within 5 years follow up were all significantly associated with post-stroke disability. The disability rate in 5-year post-stroke was high in Chinese patients. Treatment of depression, secondary prevention of stroke and rehabilitation may benefit disabled patients with stroke in China.