Article

The aim of this study was to determine whether recovery from a drop-foot at 6
months can be predicted within 72 h after stroke and to investigate the effect of
timing on the accuracy of prediction. One hundred and five patients with a
first-ever anterior circulation stroke without full voluntary ankle dorsiflexion
in standing position following the Fugl-Meyer motor score at 72 h were included for further analysis. Determinants were measured within 72 h, and at days 5 and 9
after stroke onset. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to
predict the recovery of full ankle dorsiflexion while standing at 6 months.
Having the item 'Motricity Index ankle dorsiflexion 19 or more (full range of
motion ankle dorsiflexion againsts gravity)' was the best predictive variable.
The sensitivity was 0.74 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.62-0.80], specificity
was 0.72 (95% CI 0.62-0.81), positive predictive value was 0.74 (95% CI
0.63-0.82), and negative predictive value was 0.71 (95% CI 0.60-0.80). No
significant changes at day 5 and 9 after stroke were found. In stroke patients,
the presence of full ankle dorsiflexion against gravity within 72 h is an
accurate predictor for the absence of a drop-foot at 6 months. The accuracy of
prediction of true positives and negatives is irrespective of the time of assessment in a stroke unit.
- Pied tombant

Langue : ANGLAIS