Prachi Kathuria

Prediction of Upper Limb Motor Recovery after Subacute Ischemic Stroke Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Early evaluation of the pyramidal tract using Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) is a prerequisite to decide the optimal treatment or to assess appropriate rehabilitation. The early predictive value of DTI for assessing motor and functional recovery in ischemic stroke (IS) has yielded contradictory results. The purpose is to systematically review and summarize the current available literature on the value of Fractional Anisotropy (FA) parameter of the DTI in predicting upper limb motor recovery after sub-acute IS. MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar and Cochrane CENTRAL searches were conducted from January 1, 1950, to July 31, 2015, which was supplemented with relevant articles identified in the references. Correlation between FA and upper limb motor recovery measure was done. Heterogeneity was examined using Higgins I-squared, Tau-squared. Summary of correlation coefficient was determined using Random Effects model. Out of 166 citations, only eleven studies met the criteria for inclusion in the systematic review and six studies were included in the meta-analysis. A random effects model revealed that DTI parameter FA is a significant predictor for upper limb motor recovery after sub-acute IS [Correlation Coefficient=0.82; 95% Confidence Interval-0.66 to 0.90, P value<0.001]. Moderate heterogeneity was observed (Tau-squared=0.12, I-squared=62.14). The studies reported so far on correlation between DTI and upper limb motor recovery are few with small sample sizes. This meta-analysis suggests strong correlation between DTI parameter FA and upper limb motor recovery. Well-designed prospective trials embedded with larger sample size are required to establish these findings.

Sitting occupations are an independent risk factor for Ischemic stroke in North Indian population

Stroke is a multi-factorial disease and is influenced by complex environmental interactions. The purpose of this case–control study was to determine the relationship of sitting occupations with ischemic stroke in the North Indian population. In a hospital-based case–control study, age- and sex-matched controls were recruited from the outpatient department and the neurology ward of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Occupation along with other demographic and risk factor variables was measured in-person interview in standardized case record form. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to estimate the odds ratio associated with ischemic stroke. Two hundred and twenty-four people post-stroke and 224 control participants were recruited from the period of February 2009 to February 2012. Mean age of cases and controls was 53.47 ± 14 and 52.92 ± 13.4, respectively. The occupations which involve sitting at work were independently associated with the risk of ischemic stroke after adjustment for demographic and risk factor variables (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.12–3.8). The result of this study has shown an independent association between the sitting occupations and ischemic stroke in North Indian population. The present study supports the workplace health initiative to implement workplace physical activity policy and encourages employee to reduce the amount of time they spend sitting throughout the day.

Association between Endothelial nitric oxide synthase G894T gene polymorphism and risk of ischemic stroke in North Indian population: a case-control study.

Background and purpose: Stroke is a multi-factorial disease influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. The aim of this case-control study was to determine the association between Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase G894T (rs1799983) gene polymorphism and susceptibility to ischemic stroke (IS) in North Indian population. Methods: In this present case-control study, genotyping was performed by using Polymerase chain reaction – Restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method for 250 IS patients and 250 age and sex matched controls. PCR results were confirmed by DNA sequencing. Frequency distribution of genotypes and alleles were compared between cases and controls using conditional logistic regression. Results: Hypertension, Diabetes, Dyslipidemia, Low Socioeconomic Status and Family History of Stroke were found to be independent risk factors for IS. Mean age of cases and controls were 52.83 ± 12.59 and 50.97 ± 12.70 years. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between eNOS G894T (rs1799983) polymorphism and risk of IS [OR = 1.57; 95%CI 1.05–2.37; p = 0.028] under dominant model. Based on Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment classification, an independent association of large vessel disease (LVD) was observed with the risk of IS under the dominant [OR = 2.09; 95% CI 1.17–3.75; p = 0.01] and recessive [4.09 95% CI 1.06–15.68; p = 0.04] models. All the observed genotype frequencies were in accordance with the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) in both cases and controls. Conclusion: The findings of the present study suggest that polymorphism in G894T position of eNOS gene might be a risk factor for IS mainly for LVD stroke subtype in North Indian population. Further large prospective studies are required to confirm these findings.

Low Socioeconomic Status Is an Independent Risk Factor for Ischemic Stroke: A Case-Control Study in North Indian Population

Background: Stroke is a multifactorial disease and is influenced by complex environmental interactions. The contribution of various risk factors to the burden of stroke worldwide is not well known, particularly in developing countries. The present case-control study is aimed at exploring the association between a low socioeconomic status and the risk of ischemic stroke among the North Indian population. Methods: The study design was a hospital-based, case-control study. Age- and sex-matched controls were included. The demographic characteristics and risk factor variables were documented by means of a personal interview through a standardized case record form. The household asset index for determining the socioeconomic status (HAISS) was used for the assessment of the socioeconomic status of the population. HAISS was validated with the widely used Kuppuswamy scale for measurement of socioeconomic status. The multivariable logistic regression model was used to estimate the odds ratio associated with stroke. Results: In all, 224 ischemic stroke patients and 224 controls were recruited between February 2009 and February 2012. The mean age of cases and controls was 53.47 ± 14 and 52.92 ± 13.4, respectively. The low economic status was independently associated with the risk of ischemic stroke after adjustment for demographic and risk factor variables (OR 2.8; 95% CI 1.2-6.3). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that there is a significant association between a low socioeconomic status and the risk of ischemic stroke risk in North Indian population. Well-designed studies embedded with long-term prospective cohorts are required for confirming the results.

Association between Beta Adrenergic Receptor Polymorphism and Ischemic Stroke: A Meta-Analysis

Background and Purpose The purpose of this meta-analysis was to determine the precise association between beta-2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR) polymorphism and Ischemic stroke. Methods Published case control studies on association between β2AR and ischemic stroke were searched from electronic databases. Pooled Odds ratio and 95% Confidence interval were calculated by using software RevMan version 5.2. Results A total of three studies involving 1,642 cases and 1,673 controls, which were published from 2007 to 2014, were subjected to meta-analysis for allelic association and 518 cases and 510 controls for genotypic association. Pooled analysis of two studies for genotypic association suggested that subjects carrying Gln27Glu polymorphism of β2AR had an increased risk for Ischemic stroke under recessive model (OR 2.09; 95% CI; 1.20 to 3.64) and under dominant model (OR 1.47; 95% CI 1.14 to 1.90). Pooled analysis of three studies for allelic association showed a significantly higher Glu27 allele of β2AR in the patients with ischemic stroke (OR 1.58; 95% CI; 1.38 to 1.81). Conclusions The present meta-analysis suggests that Gln27Glu polymorphism of β2AR gene is associated with increased risk for ischemic stroke.

Biomarkers to enhance accuracy and precision of prediction of short-term and long-term outcome after spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage: a study protocol for a prospective cohort study

BackgroundSeveral studies reported prognostic value of biomarker in intracerebral hemorrhagic (ICH) but they are either preliminary observation or inadequately powered to analyse independent contribution of biomarkers over and above clinical and neuroimaging data.ObjectiveTo examine whether the biomarker can significantly add to the predictive accuracy of prognosis of ICH.Method/designIn a multi-centric prospective cohort study, 1020 patients with ICH within 72 hours of onset are being recruited. After obtaining written informed consent from patients/proxy, venous blood sample (10 ml) is being collected and analysed for C-reactive protein (CRP) level, S100B, Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), Troponin, change in leukocyte count and Copeptin levels. The patients are telephonically followed using stroke scales (Barthel Index and modified Rankin Scale) at 3, 6, 12 months and 2 years after the recruitment.DiscussionThis protocol will aim at predicting the short term or long term prognosis with the use of clinical, neuroimaging and biomarkers in order to help clinician to stratify patients for early referral or intervention.

Bone marrow mononuclear cell therapy in ischaemic stroke: a systematic review

Bone marrow mononuclear cell (BM‐MNC) therapy has emerged as a potential therapy for the treatment of stroke. We performed a systematic review of published studies using BM‐MNC therapy in patients with ischaemic stroke (IS). Literature was searched using MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, Trip Database, Cochrane library and clinicaltrial.gov to identify studies on BM‐MNC therapy in IS till June, 2016. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers. STATA version 13 was used for carrying out meta‐analysis. We included non‐randomized open‐label, single‐arm and non‐randomized comparative studies or randomized controlled trials (RCTs) if BM‐MNCs were used to treat patients with IS in any phase after the index stroke. One randomized trial, two non‐randomized comparative trials and four single‐arm open‐label trials (total seven studies) involving 227 subjects (137 patients and 90 controls) were included in the systematic review and meta‐analysis. The pooled proportion for favourable clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale score ≤2) in six studies involving 122 subjects was 29% (95% CI 0.16–0.43) who were exposed to BM‐MNCs and pooled proportion for favourable clinical outcome of 69 subjects (taken from two trials) who did not receive BM‐MNCs was 20% (95% CI 0.12–0.32). The pooled difference in the safety outcomes was not significant between both the groups. Our systematic review suggests that BM‐MNC therapy is safe up to 1 year post‐intervention and is feasible; however, its efficacy in the case of IS patients is debatable. Well‐designed randomized controlled trials are required to provide more information on the efficacy of BM‐MNC transplantation in patients with IS.

Genetics of ischemic stroke: An Indian scenario.

Stroke, a heterogeneous multifactorial disorder, is known to be a major cause of death and adult disability within both the developed and developing countries. Approximately 85% of stroke cases are ischemic, whereas the remaining 15% are hemorrhagic. It is caused by multiple genetic factors, environmental factors, and interactions among these factors. Several candidate genes have been found to be associated with ischemic stroke. The most extensively studied genes include those involved in hemostasis, inflammation, nitric oxide production, homocysteine and lipid metabolism, and rennin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Combined linkage/association studies have demonstrated that genes encoding phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D) and arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein (ALOX5AP) confer risk for stroke. Even though there is substantial evidence for the genetic basis of stroke as provided by the epidemiological data from twin- and family-based studies, the contribution of genetic factors identified till now is either not enough or very less to explain the entire spectrum of encountered phenomena associated with ischemic stroke. Till date, no genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have been carried out in India. We aim to extensively review the studies on candidate genes that may have potential applications in the early diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of ischemic stroke in the Indian population. This article further emphasizes the role of GWAS in ischemic stroke and the need for an extensive GWAS in the Indian population.