Is Higher Serum Total Cholesterol Level Associated With Better Long-Term Functional Outcomes After Noncardioembolic Ischemic Stroke?
Journal
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Journal Volume
91
Journal Issue
6
Pages
913-918
Date Issued
2010
Author(s)
Abstract
Pan S-L, Lien I-N, Chen TH. Is higher serum total cholesterol level associated with better long-term functional outcomes after noncardioembolic ischemic stroke? Objective: To investigate the prognostic effects of the serum total cholesterol (TC) levels on long-term functional outcomes in patients with first-time noncardioembolic ischemic stroke. Design: Cohort study. Setting: Referral center. Participants: Patients (N=109) with first-time ischemic stroke. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure: Serial Barthel Index (BI) scores at onset; 2 weeks; and 1, 2, 4, and 6 months after stroke. We analyzed the impact of the serum TC level and other clinical factors on the repeated measurements of BI scores at these 6 time points by using a linear mixed regression model. Results: Taking correlation across repeated measurement of BI scores, the TC level, baseline BI, follow-up time, and infarct size were identified as significant predictors for serial BI scores. Higher TC levels correlated with better functional outcomes. A 1-unit (mmol/L) increase in the TC caused a 3.12 (95% confidence interval [CI], .79-5.46) increase in the BI score after controlling for other clinical factors such as age, baseline functional status, and size of infarct. An elevation of 1 unit of baseline BI led to a .49 increase (95% CI, .38-.59) per unit in subsequent BI scores. A small infarct (<1cm) had higher BI scores than larger infarct by 9.09 (95% CI, 2.03-16.16). Conclusions: The serum TC level measured at the acute stage of noncardioembolic ischemic stroke is an independent predictor for long-term functional outcomes. ? 2010 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine.
SDGs
Other Subjects
cholesterol; adult; age; aged; article; brain infarction; brain ischemia; cholesterol blood level; cohort analysis; controlled study; correlation analysis; daily life activity; disease association; female; follow up; functional assessment; human; linear regression analysis; major clinical study; male; prediction; prognosis; scoring system; Serial Barthel Index; Aged; Aspirin; Brain Ischemia; Cholesterol; Cohort Studies; Female; Fibrinolytic Agents; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Linear Models; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Nicotinic Acids; Predictive Value of Tests; Prognosis; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Risk Factors; Stroke; Vasodilator Agents
Type
journal article