The Role of Citicoline in Neuroprotection and Neuro Repair in Acute Stroke

Nabila Shaukat; Shazia Nisar; Osman Ali Jan; Usman Sajid; Amjad Mahmood; Huma Zahid

doi:10.51253/pafmj.v73i4.4956

Authors

Nabila Shaukat Department of Medicine, DHQ Hospital, Mirpur Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
Shazia Nisar Department of Medicine, Combined Military Hospital, Jhelum/ National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Osman Ali Jan Department of Medicine, Combined Military Hospital, Jhelum/ National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Usman Sajid Department of Medicine, Combined Military Hospital, Jhelum/ National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Amjad Mahmood Department of Medicine, DHQ Hospital, Mirpur Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
Huma Zahid Department of Medicine, DHQ Hospital, Mirpur Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v73i4.4956

Keywords:

Citicoline, Diabetes mellitus, Hemorrhagic stroke, Hypertension, Ischemic stroke

Abstract

Objective: To determine the efficacy and safety of Citicoline in acute stroke.

Study Design: Comparative cross-sectional study.

Place of Study and Duration: Combined Military Hospital, Jhelum Pakistan, from Dec 2017 to May 2018.

Methodology: Thirty patients with a new onset of stroke, either ischemic or hemorrhagic, were included in the study. This sample of the population was further categorized into four Groups based on the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale scoring system. Half of the patients were medicated with Citicoline and standard stroke treatment and were examined as cases. The rest of the patients were treated with standard stroke management alone and were examined as Controls. The baseline guidelines of the patients were assessed by the Canadian Neurological Stroke Scale. However, for ease of comparison, the CNSS was converted into the National Institute of Health Stoke Scale using the following formula: NIHSS=23-2xCNSS.

Results: In our study, baseline improvement in NIHSS score was higher in the Citicoline Group than in the Control Group(68% in the case Group vs. 53% in the Control Group). There was a 30% drop in NIHSS score in Cases compared to the ControlGroup (p>0.05).

Conclusion: This study could not prove the effectiveness of Citicoline despite a favourable improvement in NIHSS score in cases. Though Citicoline is a well-tolerated and safe drug, it is ineffective in improving neurological outcomes in patients with acute stroke.