Investigation of the relationship between serum testosterone levels and functional recovery in patients with chronic period ischemic stroke

Stroke is a clinical syndrome that occurs with the sudden cessation of cerebral blood flow due to various reasons, and is characterized by rapid settlement of signs and symptoms of loss of cerebral function. Male gender is an important risk factor for stroke and ischemic heart disease. Therefore, it can be thought that endogenous sex hormones play a role in the pathogenesis of these atherothrombotic diseases. It is also thought that serum testosterone levels are correlated with the patient's gain in the rehabilitation process. In our study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between serum testosterone level and functional recovery in male patients with chronic ischemic stroke who underwent neurological rehabilitation either outpatient or inpatient. Forty-eight male patients with ischemic stroke were included in our study. Neurological and musculoskeletal examinations were performed by the same physician. In addition, patients were evaluated with the Modified Ashworth scale, Brunnstrom Motor Staging Method, Functional Independence Scale, Functional Ambulation Classification, Duruöz-Hand Index, and Rivermead Mobility Index. During the control examination, blood was drawn and serum total testosterone level was checked. The mean age of the patients was 63. The mean total testosterone level of the patients was 4.04 ng/ml. There was no significant correlation between total testosterone level and Functional Independence Scale, Functional Ambulation Classification, Rivermead Mobility Index, Duruöz-Hand Index gain. The variable that has a significant effect on the control Functional Independence Scale is the initial Functional Independence Scale value. The variable that has a significant effect on the control Rivermead Mobility Index is the initial Rivermead Mobility Index value. In conclusion, no significant relationship was found between total testosterone level and rehabilitation gain in our study. However, larger studies with more patients are needed. Key words: testosterone, rehabilitation, stroke