Does the cognitive measure Cog-4 show improvement among patients treated with thrombolysis after acute stroke?

Hajjar, K., Fulton, R.L., Diener, H.-C. and Lees, K.R. (2013) Does the cognitive measure Cog-4 show improvement among patients treated with thrombolysis after acute stroke? International Journal of Stroke, 8(8), pp. 652-656. (doi: 10.1111/j.1747-4949.2012.00848.x)

Abstract

<p>BACKGROUND:Although the established measure of disability post stroke, the modified Rankin Scale emphasizes motor function and may underestimate the importance of cognitive impairment in more disabled patients. A subset of four items from the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale has been proposed to assess cognitive function after stroke (Cog-4), and to correlate with modified Rankin Scale. Items correspond to orientation, executive function, language, and inattention. We investigated responsiveness of Cog-4 to treatment with thrombolysis and whether it offers information that supplements modified Rankin Scale.</p> <p>METHODS: We included 6268 patients from the Virtual International Stroke Trials Archive: 2734 received intravenous thrombolysis and 3534 were treated conservatively. We compared day 90 outcomes between treated and untreated groups, by modified Rankin Scale (illustrative) and by Cog-4 (primary measure) adjusting for age, baseline National Institutes of Health stroke scale, hemispheric lateralisation as well as baseline Cog-4 and baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale excluding baseline Cog-4 separately. Analysis of Cog-4 was repeated within strata of 90 day modified Rankin Scale. Statistical analyses included proportional odds logistic regression and Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test.</p> <p>RESULTS: Modified Rankin Scale showed a difference between treatment groups of expected magnitude (odds ratio 1·56; 95% confidence interval 1·43-1·72; P < 0·001). After adjustment for imbalance in baseline prognostic factors, the distribution of Cog-4 scores at 90 days was better in thrombolysed patients compared with nonthrombolysed patients (odds ratio 1·31; 95% confidence interval 1·18-1·47; P = 0·006). However, Cog-4 analysis stratified by 90-day modified Rankin Scale was neutral between treatment groups (OR 1·01; 95% CI 0·90-1·14), and Cog-4 was not responsive to treatment group even within modified Rankin Scale categories 4 and 5 despite substantial cognitive deficits in these patients.</p> <p>CONCLUSION: Although Cog-4 may be responsive to treatment effects, it does not provide additional information beyond modified Rankin Scale assessment.</p>

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Macisaac, Dr Rachael and Lees, Professor Kennedy and Hajjar, Dr Karim
• Authors: Hajjar, K., Fulton, R.L., Diener, H.-C., and Lees, K.R.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
• Journal Name: International Journal of Stroke
• ISSN: 1747-4930
• ISSN (Online): 1747-4949