The Effect of Statin Therapy in Stroke Outcome: A Double Blind Clinical Trial

Methods: all patients with moderate stroke in middlecerebral artery (mca) were registered during february 2006to february 2008, in al zahra hospital, isfahan, iran. among55 patients who were enrolled in the present study, 25 subjectsreceived 20 mg lovastatin daily, for 90 days after stroke attack(group 1) and 30 patients received no treatment (group 2). patientswere assessed at admission, 7 and 90 days after stroke. nationalinstitutes of health stroke scale (nihss) score was recorded inthe day 1 and 7 in the hospital with a questionnaire and barthelindex was estimated 90 days after stroke incidence by a telephonesurvey or in an outpatient visit. data were analyzed by means of?2, ‘t’ test and independent ‘t’ test.results: nihss score measured in first day immediately afterstroke attack and following 7 days, did not differ significantly intwo groups. moreover, barthel index recorded within 90 dayswas not also different comparing group 1 and 2. after 90 days, nomortality was recorded in group 2, while one patient expired ingroup treating with statins (p?value > 0.05).discussion: we did not find statins administration to play anyrole in stroke recovery and consequent long?term prognosis. moreresearches with larger samples are needed to establish the possiblefavorable outcome of statins when administered in cerebrovasculardiseases.