ObjectiveTo systematically review the efficacy of antidepressants in the prevention of poststroke depression (PSD). MethodsWe searched The Cochrane Library (Issue 2, 2015), PubMed, MEDLINE, EMbase, CNKI and VIP databases to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about antidepressants in preventing PSD from inception to April 2015. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. ResultsA total of 26 RCTs involving 2 190 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that:compared with the control group, the antidepressants group could significantly reduce the incidence of PSD (OR=0.24, 95%CI 0.17 to 0.36, P<0.000 01). Subgroup analysis based on types of drugs showed that:the selective serotonin reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) could significantly reduce the incidence of PSD (OR=0.23, 95%CI 0.15 to 0.37, P<0.000 01). Subgroup analysis based on length of time showed that antidepressants could decrease the incidence of PSD in short term (OR=0.11, 95%CI 0.06 to 0.19, P<0.000 01), middle term (OR=0.31, 95%CI 0.21 to 0.46, P<0.000 01) and long term (OR=0.30, 95%CI 0.19 to 0.49, P<0.000 01). In addition, there was no statistical difference in the incidence of adverse effect between the antidepressants group and the control group (P>0.05). ConclusionAntidepressants is effective in the prevention of PSD, and may not affect patient's life quality. Due to the limited quantity and quality of included studies, more high quality studies are needed to verify the above conclusion.
ObjectiveThis study aims to examine the possible association between C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration and post-stroke seizures. MethodsPatients with a first-ever ischemic stroke and no history of epilepsy before stroke who admitted to Western China Hospital were consecutively enrolled in our study. CRP levels were assessed within one week of stroke onset. After a mean follow-up period of 2.5 years, a follow-up assessment was performed to identify post-stroke epilepsy. Logistic regression and Cox regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between CRP levels and post-stroke early-onset seizures or post-stroke epilepsy. ResultsAmong the 1, 116 patients included in our study, 36 (3.2%) patients had post-stroke early-onset seizures and 65 (5.8%) patients had post-stroke epilepsy. Elevated CRP levels were associated with a higher risk of post-stroke early-onset seizures (51.4±49.2 vs 15.9±12.9, P=0.023). This correlation was persisted even after adjusting for potential confounders[OR=1.008, 95%CI (1.003, 1.018); P=0.003]. No association was observed between CRP levels and post-stroke epilepsy. ConclusionsElevated CRP levels may be associated with higher risk of post-stroke seizures. However, because of the observational nature of the study, more studies are needed to confirm the results.
ObjectiveTo analysis the risk factors for carotid stenosis in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease based on digital subtraction angiography. MethodsA total of 312 patients diagnosed with ischemic cerebrovascular disease who underwent digital subtraction angiography from June 2011 to September 2013 were selected.The risk factors of carotid stenosis were analysised by multivariate logistic regression analysis. ResultsIn 312 patients,271 were with cerebral infarction and 41 were transient ischemic attack patients.There were 149 patients in carotid stenosis group (stenosis degree ≥50%) and 163 patients in control group (stenosis degree<50%).The age (OR=1.037,P=0.000) and coronary heart disease (OR=4.121,P=0.001) were independent risk factors of carotid stenosis with ischemic cerebrovascular disease. ConclusionCarotid stenosis is common in ischemic cerebrovascular disease.Age and coronary heart disease were the independent risk factors.The recognition and control of these risk factors are in favor of secondary prevention of ischemic cerebrovascular disease.
ObjectiveTo explore the features of images by CT,MRI,and MRV for early cranial venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) to provide the diagnostic evidence for choosing an optimal imaging examination. MethodsThe clinical data (imaging features of CT,MRI,and MRV) of 46 patients with CVST diagnosed between January 2009 and January 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. ResultsBrain CT showed the direct signs of CVST in 15 cases (32.6%),and indirect signs of CVST in 8(17.4%).MRI showed the signs of CVST in 17 cases (68.0%);the diagnostic positive rate of MR venography (MRV) combined with MRI was 87.5%,84.6% of which was in line with that of digital subtraction angiography. ConclusionCT can be used as screening tool for those highly suspect CVST cases.MRI combined with MRV show great diagnostic value for CVST.
ObjectiveTo evaluate whether atrial fibrillation could predict poor outcomes in stroke patients receiving thrombolysis by meta-analysis. MethodsWe searched MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library and EMbase databases for cohort studies concerning the effect of atrial ribrillation on prognosis of stroke patients receiving thrombolysis up to March 2014. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality of included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.2 software. ResultsA total of nine retrospective cohort studies involving 6 313 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that:atrial fibrillation could increase the risk of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (OR=1.51, 95%CI 1.15 to 1.99, P=0.003) and mortality (OR=1.90, 95%CI 1.29 to 2.80, P=0.001) of ischemic stroke patients receiving thrombolysis; the early improvement rate (OR=0.74, 95%CI 0.60 to 0.90, P=0.002) and later improvement rate (OR=0.50, 95%CI 0.39 to 0.64, P<0.000 01) of the atrial fibrillation group were lower than that of the non-atrial fibrillation group. ConclusionAtrial fibrillation could be a risk factor of poor outcome in ischemic stroke patients receiving thrombolysis. Due to the limitation of quantity and quality of the included studies, large-scale, multi-central and high quality clinical studies are needed.
ObjectiveTo investigate the current situation of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of thrombin like enzyme research and the ability to provide a reliable basis for the clinical practice. MethodsRCTs identified from four Chinese databases up to the year 2012 were assessed according to international standard, including SinoMed (1978-2012), CNKI (1979-2012), Wanfang Data (1986-2012), and VIP (1989-2012). ResultsA total of 2358 articles were searched and 53 RCTs were identified. The results showed that the quality of these articles was not high enough to meet the needs of clinical practice in China. ConclusionIn China, current quantity and quality of RCTs of thrombin like enzyme can not meet the need of clinical practice. In order to improve the prevention and treatment of hemorrhagic diseases, and surgical bleeding, especially for patients lacking clotting factor, more high-quality RCTs are required.