No abstract

Background Bone loss after stroke escalates the risk of fractures, mainly in the hip, leading to further disability in individuals with stroke. We aimed to investigate the skeletal effect of bone mineral density (BMD) based on the duration of onset of stroke, compare the BMD of the paretic and non-paretic sides, and elucidate the relationship between BMD and disability variables. Methods The 31 male hemiplegic stroke patients between 20 and 70 years of age with cerebral infarction or hemorrhage were considered in this study. Subacute and chronic cases included 13 and 18 patients with lag time from the onset of 1 to 6 months and beyond 6 months, respectively. BMD in the lumbar, paretic, and non-paretic hip as well as the disability variables were analyzed retrospectively. Results The subacute group showed a significant reduction in the femoral neck BMD on the paretic side compared to that on the non-paretic side based on T-scores ( P =0.013). Bone loss was significantly correlated with lower limb muscle strength and overall physical impairment ( P <0.05). The chronic group demonstrated significant reduction in femur neck and total femur BMD on the paretic side compared to that on the non-paretic side based on T-scores ( P =0.002 and P <0.001, respectively). T-scores of BMD in the chronic phase were not significantly associated with the clinical parameters. Conclusions Early screening of bilateral hip BMD in the early stages after stroke, monitoring, and timely implementation of prevention strategies are important to minimize subsequent bone loss and prevent possible complications in patients who experience stroke.

This clinical practice guideline (CPG) is the fourth edition of the Korean guideline for stroke rehabilitation, which was last updated in 2016. The development approach has been changed from a consensus-based approach to an evidence-based approach using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation (GRADE) method. This change ensures that the guidelines are based on the latest and strongest evidence available. The aim is to provide the most accurate and effective guidance to stroke rehabilitation teams, and to improve the outcomes for stroke patients in Korea. Fifty-five specialists in stroke rehabilitation and one CPG development methodology expert participated in this development. The scope of the previous clinical guidelines was very extensive, making it difficult to revise at once. Therefore, it was decided that the scope of this revised CPG would be limited to Part 1: Rehabilitation for Motor Function. The key questions were selected by considering the preferences of the target population and referring to foreign guidelines for stroke rehabilitation, and the recommendations were completed through systematic literature review and the GRADE method. The draft recommendations, which were agreed upon through an official consensus process, were refined after evaluation by a public hearing and external expert evaluation.