Steroid treatment in acute ischaemic stroke. A comparative retrospective study of 556 cases.
The files of 556 patients with a history of ischaemic stroke were reviewed. The disability and mortality rates were compared between 277 patients with a steroid treatment in the acute stage and 279 without. Comparison of the whole group showed that the steroid-treated patients had less improvement of their disability and a higher mortality rate than the non-steroid group. However, in the former more patients with a severe stroke were present. Statistical analysis of a subset of 208 patients with completed stroke in the middle cerebral artery territory showed no marked difference in the outcome and the adverse reactions between the steroid- and non-steroid-treated patients.
De Reuck
J
J
Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Ghent, Belgium.
Vandekerckhove
T
T
Bosma
G
G
De Meulemeester
K
K
Van Landegem
W
W
De Waele
J
J
Tack
E
E
De Koninck
J
J
D000368:Aged; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D003907:Dexamethasone; D008775:Methylprednisolone