Objective To explore the relationship between apathy and lesion location and serum homocysteine during the acute stage of ischemic stroke. Methods 152 patients with acute cerebral infarction were recruited. 152 volunteers from medical center were as control group. The Apathy Scale (AS) was used to assess poststroke apathy (PSA). National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was used to assess the severity of stroke. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) was used to evaluate the lesion location. Modified Fazekas Scale was used to assess leukoaraiosis. The serum levels of homocysteine of patients were determined. Results The prevalence of PSA was significantly higher in the patients than in the control group (P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that frontal lesion (P=0.001), basal ganglia lesion (P=0.006), pons lesion (P=0.002) and higher homocysteine level (P<0.001) significantly related with PSA. Conclusion Frontal lesion, basal ganglia lesion, pons lesion and higher homocysteine level may be predictors for apathy in acute stage of ischemic stroke.

Objective To investigate whether apathy during the acute stage of stroke was related to glycated hemoglobin and homocysteine(Hcy) and functional disability,and to elucidate possible factors that are related to poststroke apathy (PSA).Methods Totally 298 patients with acute cerebral infarction who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were recruited from the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University.The control group of 298 volunteers was recruited from medical center in our hospital during the same period.The apathy scale (AS) was used to assess PSA within 2 weeks after stroke.Patients with an AS score≥ 14 points were defined as PSA,and the patients were divided into apathy group (A group) and non-apathy group (NA group) according to AS score.Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was used to assess functional disability.Functional disability in daily living activities was assessed with the Barthel Index(BI).Serum levels of Hcy,glycated hemoglobin A1C (HbA1 c),lipid series and fibrinogen of patients were determined.Results The prevalence of PSA in patients was significantly higher than the control group (P ＜ 0.01).In the case group,A group had an older age,higher mRS score,higher Hcy level,lower educational level,lower BI score,and lower HbA1C level than the NA group(P ＜0.05).In the A group,the mRS score was positively correlated with the AS score(B =1.508,P =0.003),serum Hcy level was positively correlated with the AS score(B =0.170,P =0.013),the HbA1C level was negatively correlated with the AS score(B =-0.872,P =0.031).Conclusions The serum Hcy level,HbA1C level and functional disability are closely related to apathy during the acute stage of ischemic stroke.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Huoxue Bitong Plaster on lumbar osteoarthritis with blood stasis and cold-dampness blocking collaterals syndrome. Methods Totally 120 patients were randomly divided into treatment group (60 cases) and control group (60 cases). Huoxue Bitong Plaster was applied externally in the treatment group, while Goupigao Plaster was used externally in the control group, once a day, for two weeks. The clinical efficacy was evaluated by observing TCM symptom scores, VAS, Oswestry dability index (ODI), and onset time in both groups before and after treatment. Results The total effective rate was 86.67%(52/60) in treatment group, and 85.00% (51/60) in the control group, with no statistical significance (P>0.05). TCM symptom scores of both groups decreased after treatment (P<0.05). For the effect of relieving back pain and morning stiffness, the treatment group was superior to control group (P<0.05). For the effect of relieving waist heaviness, the control group was better than the treatment group (P<0.05). Besides, VAS and ODI of the treatment group were lower than the control group after treatment (P<0.05). The onset time of lightening back pain, morning stiffness in the treatment group was quicker than control group (P<0.05). For waist heaviness, the onset time in control group was quicker than treatment group (P<0.05). Conclusion Huoxue Bitong Plaster has good efficacy for lumbar osteoarthritis with blood stasis and cold-dampness blocking collaterals syndrome.