Title: Upper Limb Function as an Outcome Predictor in Acute Stroke
Abstract: HomeStrokeVol. 41, No. 7Upper Limb Function as an Outcome Predictor in Acute Stroke Free AccessLetterPDF/EPUBAboutView PDFView EPUBSections ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload citationsTrack citationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InMendeleyReddit Jump toFree AccessLetterPDF/EPUBUpper Limb Function as an Outcome Predictor in Acute Stroke Francesco Corea, Federico Scarponi and Mauro Zampolini Francesco CoreaFrancesco Corea Brain Injury Unit, Department of Rehabilitation, Ospedale S. Giovanni Battista, Foligno, Italy , Federico ScarponiFederico Scarponi Brain Injury Unit, Department of Rehabilitation, Ospedale S. Giovanni Battista, Foligno, Italy and Mauro ZampoliniMauro Zampolini Brain Injury Unit, Department of Rehabilitation, Ospedale S. Giovanni Battista, Foligno, Italy Originally published13 May 2010https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.110.583252Stroke. 2010;41:e466Other version(s) of this articleYou are viewing the most recent version of this article. Previous versions: May 13, 2010: Previous Version 1 To the Editor:The article by the Early Prediction of functional Outcome after Stroke study (EPOS)1 investigators demonstrated how the active finger extension scale may be a strong predictor of recovery in patients with stroke. This finding has for a long time been considered a relevant item in daily clinical practice with the purpose of planning tailored rehabilitation programs.2,3 A diffused and useful tool for the assessment of distal limb motor function is the Canadian Neurological Scale.4,5 This scale is well known and validated among both neurological and physiatric settings with good interrater reliability.6,7 A multicentric study was designed for a similar purpose focusing on early Canadian Neurological Scale scores and involving 3 Italian intensive rehabilitation centers.The EPOS study1 is the first prospective cohort study to show that accurate prediction of upper limb function is possible in the very acute phase of stroke by using simple bedside clinical tests but the overall impression, raised in our group, is that the study represents a selected population of minor strokes.We fear that the results of the study may be hardly comparable with other experiences for many aspects: (1) factors modifying the natural history of the disease. In the study, 39 patients were treated in the acute phase with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. A nearly 20% prevalence of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator-treated subjects may be considered an exceptional performance for many well-established stroke centers. Moreover, it is not clear which was the rehabilitative approach adopted in the treatment of the population; (2) study design/selection bias. Because no data concerning the disability of patients enrolled are available (ie, modified Rankin Scale), we speculate that the study results are consistent with a selection of milder clinical pictures (median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score 7; interquartile range, 4 and 14). Also, the Trunk Control Test scores (median, 74) reported at admission are coherent with this hypothesis focusing the attention on 2 candidate variables of the multiple regression model as shown in Table 2 of the article, sensory loss (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale item 8; OR, 9.15; 3.36 to 24.89; P<0.001) and Bamford subtypes (0, total anterior circulation infarct/partial anterior circulation infarct; 1, lacunar infarct; OR, 10.56; 4.31 to 25.85; P<0.001). The authors reported that collinearity between the determinants included was defined if their correlation coefficient was >0.7 (as screening criterion for the multivariate model). We may argue that in the EPOS cohort, no correlation was found between the motor impairment scales adopted and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores, which is quite unexpected without considering a concomitant selection bias; (3) patterns of brain damage. A detailed imaging evaluation of the index event would provide data on frequent acute phase confounders that may bias the study. Brain edema or hemorrhagic transformations may lead to global sensory loss compromising per se the motor performance assessment of the subjects. Also, the lacunar strokes were more represented in the population and found, as expected, a good predictor of better performance at 6 months.DisclosuresNone.1 Nijland RH, van Wegen EE, Harmeling-van der Wel BC, Kwakkel G. Presence of finger extension and shoulder abduction within 72 hours after stroke predicts functional recovery. Early prediction of functional outcome after stroke: the EPOS cohort study. Stroke. Google Scholar2 Franceschini M, Caso V, Zampolini M, Negrini S, Giustini A. The role of the physiatrist in stroke rehabilitation: a European survey. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2009; 88: 596–600.CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3 Rogante M, Bernabeu M, Hermens HJ, Huijgen B, Ilsbroukx S, Macellari V, Magni R, Magnino F, Scattareggia S, Spitali MC, Vollenbroek-Hutten M, Zampolini M, Giacomozzi C. Measurement of physical quantities in upper-limb tele-rehabilitation. J Telemed Telecare. 2009; 15: 153–155.CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4 Cote R, Hachinski VC, Shurvell BL, Norris JW, Wolfson C. The Canadian Neurological Scale: a preliminary study in acute stroke. Stroke. 1986; 17: 731–737.CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5 Corea F, Gunther A, Kwan J, Petzold A, Debette S, Sessa M, Silvestrelli G, Parnetti L, Tambasco N. Educational approach on stroke training in Europe. Clin Exp Hypertens. 2006; 28: 433–437.CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6 Franceschini M, Paolucci S, Perrero L, Polverelli M, Zampolini M, Giustini A. Stroke rehabilitation care in Italy. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2009; 88: 679–685.CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7 Goldstein LB, Chilukuri V. Retrospective assessment of initial stroke severity with the Canadian Neurological Scale. Stroke. 1997; 28: 1181–1184.CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar eLetters(0)eLetters should relate to an article recently published in the journal and are not a forum for providing unpublished data. Comments are reviewed for appropriate use of tone and language. Comments are not peer-reviewed. Acceptable comments are posted to the journal website only. Comments are not published in an issue and are not indexed in PubMed. Comments should be no longer than 500 words and will only be posted online. References are limited to 10. Authors of the article cited in the comment will be invited to reply, as appropriate.Comments and feedback on AHA/ASA Scientific Statements and Guidelines should be directed to the AHA/ASA Manuscript Oversight Committee via its Correspondence page.Sign In to Submit a Response to This Article Previous Back to top Next FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited By Levin O and Bogolepova A (2020) Poststroke motor and cognitive impairments: clinical features and current approaches to rehabilitation, Zhurnal nevrologii i psikhiatrii im. S.S. Korsakova, 10.17116/jnevro202012011199, 120:11, (99), . July 2010Vol 41, Issue 7 Advertisement Article InformationMetrics https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.110.583252PMID: 20466992 Originally publishedMay 13, 2010 PDF download Advertisement