title: Pre-stroke use of beta-blockers does not affect ischaemic stroke severity and outcome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It is unclear whether pre-stroke beta-blockers use may influence stroke outcome. This study evaluates the independent effect of pre-stroke use of beta-blockers on ischaemic stroke severity and 3 months functional outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pre-stroke use of beta-blockers was investigated in 1375 ischaemic stroke patients who had been included in two placebo-controlled trials with lubeluzole. Stroke severity was assessed by either the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) or the European Stroke Scale (ESS). A modified Rankin scale (mRS) score of >3 at 3 months was used as measure for the poor functional outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred and sixty four patients were on beta-blockers prior to stroke onset, and 105 patients continued treatment after their stroke. Pretreatment with beta-blockers did not influence baseline stroke severity. There was no difference in stroke severity between nonusers and those on either a selective beta(1)-blocker or a non-selective beta-blocker. The likelihood of a poor outcome at 3 months was not influenced by pre-stroke beta-blocker use or beta-blocker use before and continued after stroke onset.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pre-stroke use of beta-blockers does not appear to influence stroke severity and functional outcome at 3 months.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Center for neurosciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium. sylvie.deraedt@uzbrussel.be
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Raedt
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Haentjens
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Smedt
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brouns
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uyttenboogaart
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Luijckx
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: De Keyser
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists