Promoting physical activity in hospitalized patients with mild ischemic stroke: a pilot study

Background: Patients with acute stroke spend most of their hospital day inactive. However, a method to promote physical activity (PA) in stroke has not been established.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of promoting PA by enhancing self-efficacy in hospitalized patients with mild ischemic stroke.

Design: Pre–post interventional study.

Methods: Hospitalized patients with mild ischemic stroke who could walk without assistance were recruited. We measured the daily number of steps taken as the index of daily hospitalized PA using an accelerometer. At the baseline measurement, patients did not receive accelerometer-based feedback. To promote hospitalized PA, a physical therapist provided instruction on the self-monitoring approach and discussed PA targets, encouraged the patients to walk more, and instructed them on the importance of PA after stroke. We also measured self-efficacy for PA using an assessment tool at the baseline and during the intervention.

Results: Twenty-two patients (62.5 years old, 68.2% men) were included. PA during the intervention was higher than that at the baseline measurement (5709.4 ± 2236.1 vs. 2813.9 ± 1511.9 steps/day, p < 0.001). Self-efficacy for PA during the intervention was also higher than that at the baseline measurement (76.4 ± 18.8 vs. 58.9 ± 29.0 points, p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Promoting PA by enhancing self-efficacy may increase PA and self-efficacy for PA in hospitalized patients with mild ischemic stroke. The present results might provide new strategies of PA promotion in these hospitalized patients.     

Effects of different montages of transcranial direct current stimulation on the risk of falls and lower limb function after stroke

Background: Stroke is associated with high rates of falling and severe impairment of lower limb in patients who survive.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of different montages of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on reducing falls and on lower limb function after acute stroke.

Methods: Sixty participants with acute stroke were randomly allocated into four groups with different electrode’s setups: anodal, cathodal, bilateral and sham tDCS. Each patient received 10 stimulation sessions (five consecutive days for two weeks). Four Square Step Test, Occurrence of Falling Index, Overall Stability Index, Falls Efficacy Scale – International, Berg Balance Scale, Six-minute walk test and Sit to Stand Test were measured at baseline, post-treatment, and at one- and three-month follow-up.

Results: At baseline, no differences between the groups in terms of clinical and demographic characteristics were found. However, after treatment and during follow up, all the groups that received active stimulation showed greater reduction in the risk of falls and improved performance of the lower limb’s motor skills when compared to the sham group. No significant differences were found between the three types of active montages in relation to the risk of falling. In relation to lower limb function, bilateral stimulation provided a higher improvement when compared to anodal and cathodal tDCS.

Conclusions: This is the first trial with different setups of tDCS on acute stroke patients. tDCS presents as an effective treatment strategy in reducing the risk of falls and improving lower limb function after a stroke.

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT 02422173).     

Exercise after Stroke: Patient Adherence and Beliefs after Discharge from Rehabilitation

Background: Most people complete post-stroke rehabilitation within the first 6 months after stroke even though benefits from exercise are believed to persist well beyond 6 months. Physical and Occupational therapists provide home exercise programs (HEP) to instruct patients on exercises to continue after discharge from rehabilitation. Unfortunately, there is little known about HEP adherence rates in adults with stroke.

Objectives: The objectives of this project were to (1) determine the adherence rate with post-rehabilitation HEP and reasons for non-adherence, (2) assess for interactions between HEP adherence and self-report of depression and fatigue, and (3) determine patient beliefs about the benefit of exercise during stroke recovery.

Design: This was a cross-sectional, survey study.

Methods: A survey was developed and distributed during stroke support group meetings to determine adherence rates with post rehabilitation HEP, reasons for non-adherence, and patient beliefs about the benefit of exercise.

Results: Eighty-nine percent of participants reported receiving a HEP and 65.3% of those reported being adherent with at least part of the HEP. Several reasons for non-adherence were identified, including ‘doing different exercises than the ones given by the physical therapist’, as the most frequently given reason. Study participants identified positive roles of exercise in their recovery from stroke.

Conclusion: Patient adherence with HEP after discharge from rehabilitation is less than ideal. Reasons for non-adherence are varied. Rehabilitation therapists need to be able to identify and help patients manage barriers to HEP adherence to promote management of residual deficits.     

Association of higher waist circumference with milder stroke severity in acute ischaemic stroke

Objectives: Although higher body mass index (BMI) was reported to be associated with increased stroke incidence, having a higher BMI is known to be associated with better clinical outcomes after stroke. However, BMI has shown conflicting associations with baseline stroke severity. The aim of our study was to assess the relationship between waist circumference (WC) at admission and baseline stroke severity among patients with ischaemic stroke.

Methods: The WC of acute stroke patients was divided into sex-specific quartiles. Baseline stroke severity was categorised as mild [National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score 0–4], moderate (NIHSS score 5–10), and severe (NIHSS score ≥11). Multinomial logistic regression was used and reference categories were men or women in the lowest sex-specific WC quartiles who had experienced a mild stroke.

Results: A total of 637 female and 766 male patients were included. The adjusted OR of severe stroke were 1.3 (95% CI, 0.7–2.4) for male patients in the third WC quartile, 0.7 (95% CI, 0.3–1.5) for male patients in the second WC quartile, and 0.4 (95% CI, 0.2–0.8) for male patients in the top WC quartile. The adjusted OR of severe stroke for female patients in the third WC quartile, the second WC quartile, and the top WC quartile were 0.8 (95% CI, 0.4–1.5), 0.4 (95% CI, 0.2–0.9), and 0.7 (95% CI, 0.3–1.3), respectively.

Discussion: Higher WC at admission is associated with milder baseline stroke severity among patients with acute ischaemic stroke.

Abbreviations: BMI: body mass index; CE: cardioembolism; CI: confidence interval; LAA: large-artery atherosclerosis; NIHSS: National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale; OR: odds ratio; SAO: small-artery occlusion; WC: waist circumference.     

Cerebral hemorrhage as the initial manifestation in patients with systemic cancer

Background: Cerebral hemorrhage as well as ischemic stroke is one of the common complications among patients with cancer. Ischemic stroke could be the initial manifestation in some patients with cancer. Meanwhile, some patients with cancer also could present cerebral hemorrhage as the initial manifestation, and further studies are required to determine whether these patients have their unique clinical features.

Aim: To investigate the clinical features and underlying pathogenesis of concealed systemic cancer patients with cerebral hemorrhage as the initial manifestation.

Methods: The clinical data of patients with concealed systemic cancer who presented cerebral hemorrhage as the initial manifestation registered at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from January 2010 to December 2015 were prospectively collected and analyzed.

Results: Seventeen systemic cancer patients with cerebral hemorrhage as the initial manifestation (0.02%) were ultimately enrolled from 8,326 patients with cerebral hemorrhage. Three patients had traditional risk factors, but the other 14 patients did not. The common subtypes of malignancy were lung cancer, liver cancer, gastric carcinoma, rectal cancer and melanoma. Most patients (11/17, 64.7%) had elevated plasma levels of cancer biochemical markers, including cancer antigen (CA)125, CA153 and CA199, carcino-embryonic antigen, and alpha fetal protein. Coagulopathy was observed in 15 patients.

Conclusion: The concealed systemic cancer patients with cerebral hemorrhage as the initial manifestation may lack conventional vascular risk factors but did present coagulopathy and elevated plasma levels of cancer biochemical markers. Coagulopathy might be responsible for the cerebral hemorrhage.     

Nerve root anomalies detected intra-operatively technical nuances towards achieving a successful surgical outcome: our experience of three case reports at a tertiary level centre

Objective: Analysis of three case reports of nerve root anomalies detected intra-operatively and its implications.

Design: Data collected during one year prospective non-randomised study using hospital records.

Setting: Single tertiary care centre.

Subjects: 3 patients in one year period.     

Post-stroke hemiparesis: Does chronicity,etiology, and lesion side are associated with gait pattern?

Background: Studies that evaluate gait rehabilitation programs for individuals with stroke often consider time since stroke of more than six months. In addition, most of these studies do not use lesion etiology or affected cerebral hemisphere as study factors. However, it is unknown whether these factors are associated with post-stroke motor performance after the spontaneous recovery period.

Objective: To investigate whether time since stroke onset, etiology, and lesion side is associated with spatiotemporal and angular gait parameters of individuals with chronic stroke.

Methods: Fifty individuals with chronic hemiparesis (20 women) were evaluated. The sample was stratified according to time since stroke (between 6 and 12 months, between 13 and 36 months, and over 36 months), affected cerebral hemisphere (left or right) and lesion etiology (ischemic and hemorrhagic). The participants were evaluated during overground walking at self-selected gait speed, and spatiotemporal and angular gait parameters were calculated.

Results Differences between gait speed, stride length, hip flexion, and knee flexion were observed in subgroups stratified based on lesion etiology. Survivors of a hemorrhagic stroke exhibited more severe gait impairment. Subgroups stratified based on time since stroke only showed intergroup differences for stride length, and subgroups stratified based on affected cerebral hemisphere displayed between-group differences for swing time symmetry ratio.

Conclusion: In order to recruit a more homogeneous sample, more accurate results were obtained and an appropriate rehabilitation program was offered, researchers and clinicians should consider that gait pattern might be associated with time since stroke, affected cerebral hemisphere and lesion etiology.     

Neurofunctional changes after a single mirror therapy intervention in chronic ischemic stroke

Background: Mirror therapy (MT) is becoming an alternative rehabilitation strategy for various conditions, including stroke. Although recent studies suggest the positive benefit of MT in chronic stroke motor recovery, little is known about its neural mechanisms.

Purpose: To identify functional brain changes induced by a single MT intervention in ischemic stroke survivors, assessed by both transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Materials and methods: TMS and fMRI were used to investigate 15 stroke survivors immediately before and after a single 30-min MT session.

Results: We found statistically significant increase in post-MT motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitude (increased excitability) from the affected primary motor cortex (M1), when compared to pre-MT MEP. Post-MT fMRI maps were associated with a more organized and constrained pattern, with a more focal M1 activity within the affected hemisphere after MT, limited to the cortical area of hand representation. Furthermore, we find a change in the balance of M1 activity toward the affected hemisphere. In addition, significant correlation was found between decreased fMRI β-values and increased MEP amplitude post-MT, in the affected hemisphere.

Conclusion: Our study suggests that a single MT intervention in stroke survivors is related to increased MEP of the affected limb, and a more constrained activity of the affected M1, as if activity had become more constrained and limited to the affected hemisphere.     

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy for post-stroke non-fluent aphasia: A critical review

Objectives: To assess the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for post-stroke non-fluent aphasia through a review of current literature.

Methods: Three electronic databases (Medline, Embase & Scopus) were searched for articles. Relevant studies were further evaluated and studies that met inclusion criteria were reviewed.

Results: The literature search yielded 4713 studies. Thirty-five articles were further evaluated to be included. Thirteen met all inclusion criteria and were chosen for review. The studies provide moderate to strong evidence that rTMS may be an effective treatment for non-fluent stroke aphasia.

Conclusion: There are some strong studies evaluating the efficacy of rTMS in non-fluent stroke patients but further research is required to fully establish the usefulness of this treatment. Future directions and limitations are presented.     

Clinical and psychosocial predictors of exceeding target length of stay during inpatient stroke rehabilitation*

Background: In Ontario, Canada, patients admitted to inpatient rehabilitation hospitals post-stroke are classified into rehabilitation patient groups based on age and functional level. Clinical practice guidelines, called quality-based procedures, recommend a target length of stay (LOS) for each group.

Objectives: The study objective was to evaluate the extent to which patients post-stroke at an inpatient rehabilitation hospital are meeting LOS targets and to identify patient characteristics that predict exceeding target LOS.

Methods: A quantitative, longitudinal study from an inpatient rehabilitation hospital was conducted. Participants included adult patients (≥18 years) with stroke, admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation hospital between 2014 and 2015. The percentage of patients exceeding the recommended target LOS was determined. Logistic regression was performed to identify clinical and psychosocial patient characteristics associated with exceeding target LOS after adjusting for stroke severity.

Results: Of 165 patients, 38.8% exceeded their target LOS. Presence of ataxia, recurrent stroke, living alone, absence of a caregiver at admission, and acquiring a caregiver during hospital LOS was each associated with significantly higher odds of exceeding target LOS in comparison to patients without these characteristics after adjusting for stroke severity (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Findings suggest that social and stroke-specific factors may be helpful to adjust LOS expectations and promote efficient resource allocation. This exploratory study was limited to findings from one inpatient rehabilitation hospital. Cross-validation of results using data-sets from multiple rehabilitation hospitals across Ontario is recommended.     

Emergent loading dose of antiplatelets for stenting after IV rt-PA in acute ischemic stroke: a feasibility study

Background: A loading dose of antiplatelets reduces in-stent thrombosis after stent implantation. However, whether it is safe in patients undergoing acute stenting after intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is unclear.

Methods: A case series of acute ischemic stroke patients treated with intravenous rt-PA followed by emergent stenting were prospectively included in Jinling Hospital Stroke Unit. An emergent loading dose of antiplatelets (aspirin 300 mg and clopidogrel 300 mg) were administered to all patients through a nasogastric tube immediately before stenting. Clinical and angiographic outcomes were evaluated in these patients.

Results: A total of 12 patients were included. The median of NIHSS score on admission was 15 points (interquartile range 11–19). The median of time from stroke symptom onset to start IV rt-PA and stent placement was 172 min (interquartile range 123.75–189) and 311.5 min (interquartile range 285.5–349.5), respectively. All patients reached complete or partial recanalization (TICI ≥2a). One patient occurred hemorrhagic transformation at 24 h following the emergent loading dose of antiplatelets. A favorable outcome as defined by mRS ≤2 at 90 days was obtained in 58.3% (7/12) of all patients.

Conclusion: Our finding preliminary suggested that an emergent loading dose of antiplatelets may be safe and feasible for acute stenting after IV rt-PA.     

The alliance with expanding blood volume and correcting anemia is an effective therapeutic measure for the adult anemia patients of acute cerebral infarction

Purpose/aim of the study: Various factors are believed to be involved in the etiology of cerebral infarction. Anemia has been shown to deteriorate in association with ischemic stroke. However, the exact clinical association between anemia and ischemic stroke still remains unclear. We evaluated the clinical features of adult anemia patients with acute cerebral infarction and seek a better treatment different from the other causes of cerebral infarction, and to provide a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of these anemia patients with acute cerebral infarction.

Methods: Thirty-two adult patients of acute cerebral infarction with anemia were included in this study. A primary discharge diagnosis of acute cerebral infarction with anemia was done, and all subjects were evaluated as retrospective data. The clinical features were analyzed. A chi-square test was used to analyze the associations between different variables. Therapeutic interventions and outcomes were analyzed under t-test, compared between the two groups.

Results: The NIHSS score in the patients with the administration of EBV/CA (Expanding blood volume and correcting anemia) more lowed than Non-EBV/CA in 7 days and 14 days after initial hospitalization. The mRS score in the patients with the administration of EBV/CA also more lowed than Non-EBV/CA in 14 days. Moreover, the correlation between Hb-serum-level and NIHSS scores in the time of initial hospitalization is negative significantly.

Conclusions: Anemia is associated with increased neuronal damage and deterioration of acute cerebral infarction in the adults. Expanding blood volume and correcting anemia are effective therapeutic measures in the adult patients of acute cerebral infarctions with anemia.     

Effects of neuroserpin on clinical outcomes and inflammatory markers in Chinese patients with acute ischemic stroke

Objective: Neuroserpin (NSP) is known for its neuroprotective effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between NSP level and clinical outcomes and inflammatory markers in Chinese patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Methods: A total of 133 patients with acute cerebral infarction (ischemia group) and 44 controls were recruited. The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was used to determine the functional outcome three months after onset. We investigated the relationship between serum NSP levels [on admission and a decrease in NSP levels (10 days after admission versus on admission)] and serum levels of several inflammatory markers.

Results: We confirmed that NSP levels on admission in the ischemia group were significantly higher than those in the control group. NSP levels in patients with good outcomes were significantly higher than those in patients with poor outcomes. NSP levels on admission were associated with having a good outcome in these patients. We found that a larger decrease in NSP levels (on admission vs. 10 days after admission) was correlated with lower serum levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and ICAM-1 10 days after admission.

Conclusions: A larger decrease in NSP levels related to lower levels of inflammatory marker, while higher NSP levels were associated with lower inflammatory markers and better functional outcomes. Decreasing the infarct size may play a role in this process. These results provide more evidence of the neuroprotective effect of NSP in cerebral ischemic patients. Decrease in the Serum NSP level and NSP level at admission may be considered as potential predictive factors for outcome of acute ischemic stroke.     

Internal decompression for spinal stenosis (IDSS) for decompression and use of interlaminar dynamic device (CoflexTM) for stabilization in the surgical management of degenerative lumbar canal stenosis with or without mild segmental instability: our initial results

Introduction: Internal decompression of spinal stenosis (IDSS) and Posterior dynamic stabilization (PDS) form a bridge between decompression laminectomy alone and rigid fusion, by attempting to sustain beneficial effects of decompression and stabilization in an attempt to prevent bad effects of relentless degeneration.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical outcome in operated patient of posterior dynamic stabilization.

Design: Data were collected over 1 year in prospective, nonrandomized follow-up study using outcome scales.

Setting: Single surgeon, tertiary care centre in Mumbai, India.

Described here is the operative technique of posterior dynamic stabilization using CoFlex^TM and clinical outcome of 67 consecutive patients using Visual Analogue Scale and Oswestry Disability Score.     

Adaptation of melodic intonation therapy to Spanish: a feasibility pilot study

Background: Although the effectiveness of melodic intonation therapy (MIT) has been demonstrated in poststroke aphasia, its use in Spanish-speaking countries is practically nonexistent, primarily due to the therapy not having been adapted to Spanish.

Aims: To develop a Spanish version of MIT and to evaluate its feasibility in patients with nonfluent aphasia after an ischemic stroke.

Methods & Procedures: The study was performed in two phases: the first phase involved creation of a Spanish adaptation of MIT; the second phase consisted of a pilot intervention study to analyse its feasibility for use with Spanish patients with poststroke nonfluent aphasia. We recruited patients with aphasia due to a first ischemic stroke more than 6 months before inclusion in the study and who had received a standard programme of conventional language therapy after the stroke. The duration of the MIT was 18 sessions performed over a 6-week period. Each session lasted 30 min per patient and was performed by a language-experienced therapist previously trained in MIT. We used the communicative activity log (CAL) questionnaire and the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination (BDAE) as instruments to measure the change in the communication skills experienced by the patients.

Outcomes & Results: Ten patients were screened and evaluated by a specialist in neuropsychology, and only four met the study criteria. After the therapy, three of the four patients demonstrated improved BDAE results, increasing from an average of 18–36; the CAL average increased from 48.75 to 51.25. These scores were not significant because of the small sample size.

Conclusions: We have developed a Spanish version of MIT that is feasible for use with patients with poststroke nonfluent aphasia and that shows a trend towards speech improvement. Further prospective studies to evaluate its potential efficacy are needed.     

Psychological and emotional needs,assessment, and support post-stroke: a multi-perspective qualitative study

Background: International stroke care guidelines recommend the routine assessment and management of psychological and emotional problems post-stroke. Understanding the experiences of those delivering and receiving these services is vital to improving the provision of psychological support post-stroke.

Objectives: To explore patients’, carers’, and health professionals’ experiences of psychological need, assessment, and support post-stroke while in hospital and immediately post-discharge.

Methods: Participants were recruited from seven specialist stroke services in the north of England. Qualitative semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with 31 stroke patients, 28 carers, and 66 health professionals. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results: Two central themes emerged minding the gap: psychological expertise, and protective factors perceived to reduce the need for formal psychological support. The lack of psychological expertise among healthcare professionals working on stroke units was a source of frustration and resulted in other disciplines assuming the role of a psychologist without the required skills and training. Multiple stakeholders discussed the importance of protective factors, including downward social comparison, social support, peer support, communication, and information provision, that were perceived to reduce the need for formal psychological support.

Discussion: Stroke patients need better access to psychological support, including information, advice, and peer or social support. More research is required to establish the effectiveness of alternative options to formal psychological support.     

The effect of self-management education following mild stroke: an exploratory randomized controlled trial*

Background: Mild stroke comprises 53% of stroke hospital admissions; however, the majority of those with mild stroke patients receive little support to address chronic symptoms following stroke.

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effect of the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) for use with individuals immediately post mild-stroke.

Methods: Single-blind, exploratory, randomized controlled trial with participants who sustained a mild stroke (NIHSS <6). Participants were randomized to either receive the CDSMP intervention or to an inactive control group. Primary outcomes were self-reported health and self-efficacy and were obtained at baseline, post-intervention (treatment group only), and at six months post-baseline. Wilcoxon Signed Rank Tests were used to compare change score differences for all participants and effect size was computed using effect size r for non-parametric data.

Results: There were no differences between groups in demographics or baseline data with the exception of how participants felt they are able to manage their health in general (p = 0.05). At follow-up, effect sizes ranged from 0 to 0.35 (no effect to medium effect); however, while the treatment group reported improvements in several areas of health at follow-up, the results are not compelling when compared to the control group over the same time period.

Conclusions: The results did not identify a positive effect that would support the use of the CDSMP with individual’s post-mild stroke; however, the generalizability of these results is limited secondary to several limitations in this exploratory study.     

The association between high on-treatment platelet reactivity and early recurrence of ischemic events after minor stroke or TIA

Objectives: To evaluate the role of HTPR in predicting early recurrence of ischemic events in patients with minor ischemic stroke or high-risk TIA.

Methods: From January 2014 to September 2014, a single center continuously enrolled patients with minor ischemic stroke or high-risk TIA and gave them antiplatelet therapy consisting of aspirin with clopidogrel. HTPR was assessed by TEG after 7 days of antiplatelet therapy and detected CYP2C19 genotype. The incidence of recurrent ischemic events was assessed 3 months after onset. The incidence of recurrent ischemic events was compared between the HTPR and NTPR groups with the Kaplan-Meier method, and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the risk factors associated with recurrent ischemic events.

Results: We enrolled 278 eligible patients with minor ischemic stroke or high-risk TIA. Through TEG testing, patients with HTPR were 22.7%, and carriers were not associated with HTPR to ADP by TEG-ADP(%) (p = 0.193). A total of 265 patients completed 3 months of follow-up, and Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with HTPR had a higher percentage of recurrent ischemic events compared with patients with NTPR (p = 0.002). In multivariate Cox proportional hazards models, history of ischemic stroke or TIA (HR 4.45, 95% CI 1.77–11.16, p = 0.001) and HTPR (HR 3.34, 95% CI 1.41–7.91, p = 0.006) was independently associated with recurrent ischemic events.

Discussion: In patients with minor stroke or TIA, the prevalence of HTPR was 22.7%, and HTPR was independently associated with recurrent ischemic events.     

Hyperglycemia as a prognosis predictor of length of stay and functional outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke

Background: Hyperglycemia has been shown to influence prognosis outcome of stroke. The objective of this study was to determine the correlation between hyperglycemia with length of stay (LOS) and functional outcomes in ischemic stroke patients. This is the first study to correlate hyperglycemia in ischemic stroke patients with their functional outcome as assessed by using Barthel index.

Methods: This is a prospective cohort study of patients admitted to the Stroke Unit of Dr. Sardjito General Hospital for ischemic stroke from January 2012 to June 2014. Subjects were selected in a consecutive manner until the required number of subjects was obtained. Data collected from medical records included the baseline social demographic variables and clinical variables. Bivariate and multivariate analyses with multiple linear regression analysis were used to identify correlation between hyperglycemia with LOS and functional outcomes.

Results: In total, 208 patients were included, of which 126 (60.6%) were men. The mean age was 61.18 (SD = 10.45), and the mean LOS in our study was 4.52 (SD = 5.89) d. For the univariate analysis, factors associated with LOS were history of diabetes (p = 0.003), urinary tract infection (p = 0.025), hyperglycemia (p < 0.001) and moderate to severe Barthel index on admission (p < 0.001), and the independent factor was hyperglycemia (β: 6.212, p < 0.001) based on multivariate analysis. Furthermore, hyperglycemia was an independent factor of functional outcomes as measured with Barthel index (β: 9.185, p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Hyperglycemia is a prognosis predictor of LOS and functional outcomes of patients with acute ischemic stroke measured by discharge Barthel index.