AIM

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of prolonged sequential therapy with mexidol in the acute and early recovery stages of hemispheric ischemic stroke (IS) across age groups according to the World Health Organization classification.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study is an additional analysis across age groups among patients participated in the randomized double blind multicenter placebo-controlled, in parallel groups trial EPICA. All subjects (62 men and 88 women) were subdivided into age groups: younger than 60 years, 60—65 years, 76—90 years. Additionally, all participants were divided into 2 populations: ITT (Intent to treat population, patients who received at least one treatment/placebo dose) and PP (Per protocol population, patients who received treatment per study protocol). Results of Modified Rankin scale (mRs) at the end of treatment period, Barthel index, Beck depression inventory, European Quality of Life Questionnaire were assessed.

RESULTS

The efficacy of mexidol assessed with all the scales did not differ depending on the age group. By the end of treatment, the mean mRS score was lower in the 76—90 years subgroup (in both populations), compared to placebo (p<0.001). The decrease in mean mRS score (Visit 1—5) was more prominent in patients aged 60—65 years (p=0.025), including patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Patients aged 76—90 years and patients with DM, compared to placebo, had a decrease of the severity of cognitive-affective depression symptoms (p=0.049 and p=0.02) and an increase in patients without problems with everyday activities (p=0.007 and p=0.02). Patients with DM, compared to placebo, also had the higher levels of everyday activity (p=0.023) and quality of life (p=0.045). There were no statistically significant differences in the frequency of side-effects in patients of all groups.

CONCLUSION

It is recommended to include mexidol in therapy of patients with IS in the acute and early rehabilitation stages in all age groups, including patients with DM.