Background/Aim
Previous studies have demonstrated that treatment with growth hormone (GH) and/or erythropoietin (EPO) promotes motor function improvement. However, it remains unclear which patients may benefit more from this treatment. The author investigated factors that could influence and correlate with the effects of these two drugs.
Methods
From January 2021 to December 2023, 87 acute ischemic stroke patients (onset <24 hours) were administered GH, EPO, or both according to the protocol. Growth hormone (Eutropin®) was provided by LG Life Sciences Ltd., Iksan, Korea, with a dosage of 4 units = 1.32 mg, administered via subcutaneous injection once a week for 3 months. Erythropoietin (Epokine®) was provided by HK Inno.N Corp., Seoul, Korea, with a dosage of 8000 units administered on hospital days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. The modified Barthel Index (MBI) and modified Rankin Score (mRS) were assessed at admission and 3 months post-discharge.
Results
The group receiving both GH and EPO showed significantly higher scores compared to the groups receiving each treatment individually (MBI: GH 7.8±0.9, EPO 15.0±9.4, Both 23.1±11.7, p<0.001; mRS: GH -0.18±0.02, EPO -0.22±0.12, Both -0.51±0.38, p=0.010). Furthermore, better outcomes were observed in patients aged 75 and older and those with diabetes and chronic kidney disease (Age>75 and CKD: MBI p<0.001, mRS <0.001; DM: MBI p<0.001, mRS p=0.009).
Conclusion
Combined administration of EPO and GH resulted in better motor function recovery after stroke compared to individual treatments, particularly in patients aged 75 and older and those with diabetes and chronic kidney disease.