Objective: This study aimed to analyze the correlation between platelet (PLT) count and the modified Rankin scale (mRS) in patients with cerebral infarction (CI) at the later stage of rehabilitation, which can be used to guide the secondary prevention strategy of CI. Methods: A total of 180 CI patients were divided into three groups according to PLT count: low PLT group (<125×109/L), medium PLT group (126– 225×109/L) and high PLT group (>226×109/L). The mRS was evaluated after three months and one year, respectively, and the difference in long-term prognosis between groups was analyzed. The mRS is an ordered scale coded from 0 (no symptoms at all) through 5 (severe disability) 6 (death). Results: Finally, a total of 99 patients had complete data. The results of the multiple comparisons among the three groups were as follows: the analysis of variance of the mRS at three months after onset yielded F = 6.714 and P = 0.002, and the difference was statistically significant. The mRS was lowest in the medium PLT group (2.09±1.465), and neurological function recovery was the best. After one year, the mRS for the medium PLT group was the lowest (1.49±1.523), with F = 6.860 and P = 0.002. The repeated measures analysis of variance revealed that the effect of continuous rehabilitation was significant in the interval from three months to one year after onset (F = 35.528, P < 0.001). This was very significant, especially for patients taking aspirin (F = 50.908, P < 0.001). However, for patients who did not take aspirin, the effect of continuous rehabilitation was not obvious during the nine months, and the difference between the results of two mRS measurements was not statistically significant (F = 1.089, P = 0.308). Conclusions: Patients with a PLT count of 126– 225×109/L had the lowest mRS between three months and one year after onset, but had the best recovery of nerve function. Patients who persisted in taking aspirin continued to significantly recover during the 9-month period, from three months to one year after onset. Aspirin is not only a secondary preventive drug, but also an important drug to promote the rehabilitation of CI patients.
Long-Term Prognosis of Patients with Major Depression and Silent Cerebral Infarction
