1. [Long-term effect of policosanol on the functional recovery of non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke patients: a one year study].
- Author
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Sanchez J, Illnait J, Mas R, Mendoza S, Fernandez L, Mesa M, Vega H, Fernandez J, Reyes P, and Ruiz D
- Subjects
- Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Anticholesteremic Agents administration & dosage, Anticholesteremic Agents adverse effects, Aspirin administration & dosage, Aspirin adverse effects, Aspirin therapeutic use, Brain Damage, Chronic etiology, Brain Ischemia blood, Cholesterol blood, Double-Blind Method, Drug Therapy, Combination, Fatty Alcohols administration & dosage, Fatty Alcohols adverse effects, Female, Humans, Hypercholesterolemia blood, Hypercholesterolemia complications, Hypercholesterolemia diet therapy, Male, Patient Compliance, Recovery of Function, Treatment Outcome, Anticholesteremic Agents therapeutic use, Brain Ischemia drug therapy, Fatty Alcohols therapeutic use
- Abstract
Introduction: Stroke is a leading cause of mortality and disability. Policosanol has been effective in brain ischemia models. The aim of this study is to investigate whether policosanol, added to aspirin therapy within 30 days of stroke onset, is better than placebo + aspirine for the long-term recovery of non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke subjects., Patients and Methods: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Eighty patients (mean age: 69 years) within 30 days of onset, with a modified Rankin Scale score (mRS) 2 to 4, were included. They were randomized in two groups (policosanol + aspirine or placebo + aspirine) for 12 months., Results: Policosanol + aspirine decreased significantly mean mRS from the first interim check-up (1.5 months). The treatment even improved after long-term therapy. More policosanol + aspirin (87.5%) than placebo + aspirine (0%) patients achieved mRSs <= 1. Policosanol + aspirine increased significantly Barthel Index, lowered LDL-cholesterol and increased HDL-cholesterol versus placebo + aspirin., Conclusions: Long-term (12 months) administration of policosanol + aspirin given after suffering non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke was shown to be better than placebo + aspirin in improving functional outcomes when used among patients with non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke of moderate severity.
- Published
- 2017