Efficacy of co-administration of oxiracetam and butylphthalide in the treatment of elderly patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage, and its effect on NIHSS and ADL scores

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the effect of combined use of oxiracetam and butylphthalide on hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH) in elderly patients, and its influence on NIHSS and activities of daily living (ADL) scores of patients.Methods: Ninety (90) elderly patients with HICH who were admitted to Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China served as study subjects, and were randomly assigned to control and study groups, with 45 patients per group. The patients in the control group were treated with oxiracetam alone, while patients in the study group received a combination of oxiracetam and butylphthalide. Clinical efficacy, undesirable side effects and serum indices were determined. The NIHSS and ADL rating scales were used to evaluate cerebral nerve function and ADL score before and after treatment.Results: There were significantly higher total treatment effectiveness and lower incidence of adverse reactions in the study group than in control group, while tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) index, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) index and NIHSS score were reduced in study patients, relative to controls (p < 0.001). However, ADL score in the study group was higher than that in the control group (p < 0.001).Conclusion: Treatment of elderly patients with HICH using a combination of oxiracetam and butylphthalide improves various serum indices, cerebral nerve function and ADL, as well as clinical efficacy. Further research on the combined medication will help to establish a reliable treatment plan for these patients.