Evaluation of metformin effect on outcome of patients with ischemic stroke

Background and Aim : Experimental evidence suggests that metformin as an AMPK activator can reduce stroke severity. However, data is scarce and controversial and are mainly in animal models not in human models. The aim of this study is to evaluate stroke outcome in diabetic patients taking metformin in comparison with other agents.Methods : In a case-control study, medical records of 60 patients with acute stroke were collected. Drug history was collected and diabetic patients were divided into two groups: metformin users and other diabetic agents’ users. Some of these stroke patients had been treated with Intravenous thrombolysis (rTPA). The Severity of Stroke was evaluated via Modified Ranking Scale (MRS) at the time of stroke and the outcome of the stroke was assessed via 3-month Modified Ranking Scale (MRS) after stroke. These factors were compared between 2 groups. Subgroup analysis were performed for patients who were treated with rTPA.Results : Two groups were match regarding baseline blood glucose, HBA1c, age and gender. χ2 Test showed that there is no significant difference between two groups regarding severity of Stroke at the time of onset (P-Values=0.8) or outcome of stroke in the form of 3-month MRS(P-Value=0.2). Exact fisher test confirms the results. In subgroup analysis in patients who were treated with rTPA, there was also no significant difference between the outcome of the stroke(P-Value=0.01)Conclusion : Despite previous experimental models, this study did not prove the neuroprotective effect of metformin. Further studies with more subjects and evaluating post-stroke administration of metformin should be considered

کلیدواژه ها:

Ischemic Stroke ، Diabete ، Metformin