Effect of policosanol (20 mg/d) on the functional recovery of patients with ischemic stroke: a one year study

Resumen

Stroke is a leading cause of mortality and disability. Policosanol has been effective in brain ischemia models and previous clinical studies suggested that policosanol (20 mg/d) + standard aspirin (AS) therapy had benefits versus placebo +AS given for 6 and 12 months to patients with recent ischemic stroke. The objectives of this study investigate whether policosanol, added to AS therapy within 30 d of stroke onset, is better than placebo + AS for the long-term recovery of ischemic stroke subjects. This study was randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled. Patients with a modified Rankin Scale score (mRSs) 2 to 4, within 30 d of onset, were randomized and consumed policosanol/AS or placebo/AS, for 12 months. The primary outcome was mRSs reduction. Decreases of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol and increases of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were secondary outcomes. Thirty-eight patients (mean age: 66 years) included in the study. Policosanol/AS decreased significantly mean mRSs from the first interim check-up (1.5 months) (p  0.01) to final of treatment. In adition, policosanol/AS significantly lowered LDL-C, total cholesterol and increase HDL-C versus placebo/AS. Treatments were well tolerated. There were 15 withdrawals, five due to severe adverse events. It is conclude the long-term (12 months) administration of policosanol/AS given after suffering ischemic stroke showed to be better than placebo/AS in improving functional outcomes at 3 and 12 months when used among patients with ischemic stroke of moderate severity.