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Determining the Functional Status of the Corticospinal Tract Within One Week of Stroke
Published on: February 22, 2020
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Initial calf circumference predicts poor disability outcomes in patients with stroke
Yoichi Sato1, Takafumi Abe1, Yosuke Kimura2
1Department of Rehabilitation, Uonuma Kikan Hospital, Niigata, Japan; Health Promotional Physical Therapy for Stroke Survivors (HEPPS), Japanese Society of Neurological Physical Therapy, Tokyo, Japan.
The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging
|January 10, 2025
Summary
Low calf circumference (CC) in acute stroke patients predicts poor functional outcomes at 12 months. This easily measured parameter may aid in early risk assessment for stroke recovery.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Clinical Medicine
- Biometrics
Background:
- Calf circumference (CC) is a simple, noninvasive measurement.
- Its role in predicting long-term functional outcomes after acute stroke remains unclear.
- Investigating CC as a potential prognostic marker is crucial for stroke patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if low calf circumference (CC) at admission is associated with functional outcomes 12 months post-stroke.
- To evaluate CC as a potential predictor of long-term disability in acute stroke survivors.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted.
- Low CC was defined as <30 cm (men) and <29 cm (women).
- Poor functional outcome was defined by modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores (>3) at 12 months; multivariate logistic regression was used.
Main Results:
- The study included 445 acute stroke patients (median age 75 years).
- A low CC was present in 26.7% of patients.
- Low CC was significantly associated with poor functional outcome at 12 months (OR=3.036, p<0.001).
Conclusions:
- Low calf circumference at acute stroke admission predicts poor functional outcomes at 12 months.
- CC is a readily available, noninvasive tool for early prognostic assessment in stroke.
- Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm causality.
