Effect of Leech Powder on Prognosis of Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage of Early and Middle Stage / 中国中医药信息杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the effect of leech powder on mortality and disability of acute intracerebral hemorrhage at 30 days and 1 year. Methods In a Case-control study,we analyzed the 30-day and 1-year mortality and disability with respect to leech powder treatment status in 59 patients consecutively admitted within one week of intracerebral hemorrhage onset. Confounding factors were compared between treated and nontreated patients. Results About two thirds of the patients received oral leech powder as part of their routine treatment,mean dosage was (2.22?0.42)g/d and mean duration was (10.12?3.39)d. The mortality was 2.4% versus 16.7% (P =0.08) at 30 days and 17.1% versus 44.4% (P=0.03) at 1 year in the leech powder treated and nontreated groups,respectively. Modified Rankin score 5-6 was 43.9% (61.1% in nontreated groups,P =0.45) at 30 days and 17.1% (50% in nontreated groups,P =0.03) at 1 year in treated groups,respectively. Leech powder treatment effect was adjusted for Glasgow Coma Scale,hyperglycemia,creatinine and smoker in logistic regression models. Depending on the factors entered into the model,either no effect or harm could be attributed to leech powder. Conclusions Based on the results of this study,no recommendations can be made on the use of leech powder in acute intracerebral hemorrhage. And properly randomized,controlled trials should be performed to come to a final conclusion.