Roozbeh Kazemi - Tabassom Rehabilitation Center for Stroke Patients, Tehran, Iran
Alireza Amirbaigloo - Endocrinologist, Practicing at Private Office, Tehran, Iran
Fahimeh Soheilipour - Minimally Invasive Surgery Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Hyperglycemia is common in the early acute stroke phase especially in patients with diabetes and possible benefits are obtained from proper control of it. However the course of hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes after stroke during the chronic phase or rehabilitation is not clear and to the best of our knowledge, there is no study evaluating this issue.Methods:Forty seven consecutive patients with diabetes and stroke were enrolled in this study. Patients were included only if it has passed from their stroke at least three months. Any change in glycemic control of the patients before and after stroke was ascertained by monitoring any change in drugs used for control of diabetes, and laboratory results (Hb A۱c & FBS).Results:The mean age of participants was ۶۳.۶ ± ۶.۹ years and ۲۲ patients (۴۷%) were women. Median of time from occurrence of stroke to the first visit was ۵ months and ۶ days. Glycemic control was improved among patients with diabetes during chronic phase of stroke. There was a significant decrease of ۰.۷ ± ۱.۳ % in HbA۱c (P=۰.۰۰۱). In spite of a decrease or no change in HbA۱c and FPG, also the dose and the number of drugs used for treating diabetes were usually decreased. Interestingly, despite a significant weight loss, no significant correlation could be found between changes in HbA۱c and weight.Conclusion:Despite initial increase in glycaemia in patients with diabetes in acute phase of stroke, glycemic control improves after stroke and often it is necessary to decrease diabetes drugs to prevent hypoglycemia. This topic is important and should be addressed by guidelines and institutions involved in care of patients with diabetes and stroke.

stroke, diabetes, glycemic control, rehabilitation