JournalTOCs School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, UK Email: journaltocs@hw.ac.uk Tel: +00 44 (0)131 4513762  Your IP address: 18.97.14.86 |
JournalTOCs School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, UK Email: journaltocs@hw.ac.uk Tel: +00 44 (0)131 4513762 Your IP address: 18.97.14.86 |
Hybrid journal (It can contain Open Access articles)
Objectives People with diabetes are 1.5 times more likely to experience stroke than those without diabetes, underlining the urgent need to address this issue. Metformin is often the initial medication chosen to manage diabetes mellitus (DM). The purpose of our systematic review and meta-analysis is to explore the potential neuroprotective effects of metformin in individuals who have received it prior to stroke.Method Our study encompassed cohort studies that drew a comparison between the severity and diverse outcomes of stroke among individuals with DM who were administered metformin prior to the stroke event and those with DM who did not receive the treatment.Results Ten studies met the eligibility criteria. Prestroke metformin use was associated with a significantly lower National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (mean difference = −1.29, 95% confidence interval: −2.11 to −0.47) in ischemic stroke. Metformin pretreatment in ischemic stroke was associated with increased odds of favorable outcome (mRS < 2) at 90 days (odds ratio [OR] = 1.45, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06 to 1.99), but it was not significant at discharge. Metformin was found to be associated with reduced mortality (OR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.42 to 0.64) in ischemic stroke. In hemorrhagic stroke, the results showed a significantly lower intracranial hemorrhage volume in prestroke metformin use (mean difference = −4.77, 95% CI: −6.56 to −2.98).Conclusions We found that prestroke metformin use in diabetic patients yielded neuroprotective effects. In ischemic strokes, metformin reduces stroke severity and 90-day mortality; it also improves 90-day functional outcomes. In hemorrhagic strokes, prestroke metformin use can also cause less intracranial hemorrhage volume. Further clinical trials are needed to confirm its efficacy and verify its benefits in stroke management.
Objectives Animal studies have suggested that valproic acid (VPA) is neuroprotective in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). However, the effect of VPA on SAH outcomes in humans has not been investigated.Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of 123 patients with nontraumatic SAH. Eighty-seven patients had an aneurysmal source and 36 patients had no culprit lesion identified. We used stepwise logistic regression to determine the association between VPA and delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), radiographic vasospasm, and discharge modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score>3.Results All 18 patients who received VPA underwent coil embolization of their aneurysm. VPA use did not have a significant association with DCI on adjusted analysis (odds ratio [OR] = 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.20–5.80). The association between VPA use and vasospasm was OR = 0.64 (0.19–1.98) and discharge mRS> 3 was OR = 0.45 (0.10–1.64). Increased age (OR = 1.04, 1.01–1.07) and Hunt and Hess grade>3 (OR = 14.5, 4.31–48.6) were associated with poor discharge outcome (mRS> 3). Younger age (OR = 0.96, 0.93–0.99), modified Fisher Scale (mFS) score = 4 (OR = 4.14, 1.81–9.45), and Hunt and Hess grade>3 (OR = 2.92, 1.11–7.69) were all associated with development of radiographic vasospasm. There were no complications associated with VPA administration.Conclusions We did not observe an association between VPA and the rate of DCI. We found that VPA use was safe in SAH patients who have undergone endovascular treatment of their aneurysm.
Objectives Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely used to reduce gastric acid levels and are often prescribed with antiplatelet agents in patients with stroke. However, the interactions and differences among various PPIs remain unclear. Therefore, we aimed to compare the differences between esomeprazole and ilaprazole in patients with and without stroke. We also compared the effects of aspirin use in the ilaprazole group.Methods We retrospectively analyzed 580 patients with neurological disorders who responded to the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Questionnaire at a tertiary hospital between October 2020 and December 2023. Comparative and subgroup analyses were performed using the chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test, and t tests.Results In the overall patient cohort, patients using esomeprazole had lower rates of dyslipidemia and lower white blood cell, hemoglobin, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, compared to ilaprazole users. However, among patients with stroke, esomeprazole users had higher rates of atrial fibrillation and lower triglyceride, hemoglobin, and uric acid levels, compared to ilaprazole users. In the ilaprazole group, nonaspirin users were younger and had fewer stroke episodes and higher total cholesterol levels, compared to aspirin users. Furthermore, patients using antiplatelet and PPI therapies and antacids had lower hemoglobin levels, compared to antacid nonusers.Conclusions Significant differences existed between esomeprazole and ilaprazole users and among ilaprazole users based on aspirin use. Therefore, careful monitoring of PPI use with antiplatelet agents and antacids is recommended in patients with neurological disorders. However, further research is needed to understand these differences and their clinical impact.
Objective The aim of the study was to assess the characteristics and outcomes of adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and a previous history of restrictive eating disorder symptoms.Method We retrospectively reviewed the health records of patients with ADHD and a history of disordered eating who were treated at our institution with medications that have potential anorexiant properties from October 1, 2022, through March 31, 2024.Results We initially identified 159 patients who were referred to an ADHD program at our institution during the study period. Of 72 patients who met criteria for an ADHD diagnosis, 18 had SCOFF questionnaire scores of 2 or higher, which suggests symptoms of a restrictive eating disorder. Of these 18 patients, 3 had a previous diagnosis of an eating disorder documented in their health records. Each patient was treated with medications chosen to manage their reported ADHD symptoms, regardless of eating disorder concerns. All patients had improvements in ADHD symptoms without reporting adverse effects on disordered eating behaviors. Body weight and body mass index values did not significantly change after treatment with atomoxetine, dextroamphetamine/amphetamine, or methylphenidate (all P ≥ 0.14).Conclusions Our findings are consistent with those of previous reports and suggest that ADHD treatment, including treatment with stimulant medications, is safe and tolerable for patients with a history of restrictive eating disorder symptoms.
No abstract available
