How does metabolic syndrome affect the functional ambulation in stroke patients?

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a risk factor for stroke. However, the role of MetS in stroke rehabilitation has not been assessed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of MetS on rehabilitation from stroke.

A total of 337 consecutive patients with subacute stroke and 220 age-matched healthy controls were studied. The diagnosis of MetS was based on the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. Ambulation levels were evaluated using the Functional Ambulation Classification (FAC) measure. The correlation between MetS and FAC was investigated. The regression analysis included presence of hypertriglyceridemia, high fasting glucose, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, hypertension, abdominal obesity, MetS, and age ≯65 years.

The prevalence of MetS in the control group and the ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke groups was 33.2% (n = 73), 59.8% (n = 156), and 68.4% (n = 52), respectively. MetS prevalence was significantly higher in stroke groups compared with the control group (P < .001). FAC and MetS were significantly and negatively correlated in the stroke groups (P < .001, rho = -0.387, for hemorrhagic stroke;P < .001, rho = -0.379, for ischemic stroke). Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that diastolic tension, MetS presence, and age were found to be independent risk factors for FAC in ischemic stroke groups.

MetS is associated with worse functional ambulation for both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients. Aggressive rehabilitation can be advocated in the presence of MetS in ischemic stroke patients.