RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the blood level of IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1) and IGFBP-3 (insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3) in patients with post-acute stage brain diseases, and to investigate the relationship between IGF-1/ IGFBP-3 blood level and functional status in patients with post-acute stage brain diseases. METHOD: Initial IGF-1/IGFBP-3 blood levels of 32 patients with post-acute stage brain disease were obtained and various functional indices, including modified Barthel index (MBI), functional ambulatory category (FAC), and Jebsen hand function test (JHFT), were assessed initially and at discharge. RESULTS: The IGF-1 blood level was normal in 23 patients and decreased in 9. The IGFBP-3 blood level was normal in 20 patients and increased in 13. The initial IGF-1/IGFBP- 3 levels were associated with the change of MBI score during admission (p<0.05, r2=0.214/p<0.05, r2=0.213). There was a correlation between IGF-1/IGFBP-3 levels and JHFT score only on the unaffected side at discharge (p<0.05, r2=0.278). There was no relation between IGF-1/IGFBP-3 levels and the change of JHFT score on either side during admission. CONCLUSION: Initial IGF-1/IGFBP-3 blood level check can be a useful method to anticipate functional improvement of patients with post-acute stage brain disease.