Longitudinal observational study to assess the nutritional status of patients with an acute ischemic stroke

Stroke is described by a poor blood flow to the brain resulting in cell death
and as such stroke is a leading cause of mortality. Across European countries
incidence rates vary between 100-700 per 100,000 inhabitants. There are two
main types of stroke: an ischemic stroke causing a poor blood flow due to a
lack of blood flow with an incidence rate between 65-85% and hemorrhagic stroke
causing a poor blood flow due to bleeding. Stroke patients suffer from multiple
factors that may influence dietary intake. Hence, stroke is an important
contributor for the development or deterioration of malnutrition in the
patient. The incidence of malnutrition after stroke has been shown to range
from 6-62% depending on the population that has been studied. However, data on
nutritional status and specific deficiencies are limited in this patient group.
The goal of this study is to learn more about the nutritional status of
patients with an ischemic stroke, both with and without dysphagia, during
hospitalization immediately after stroke incidence and during rehabilitation in
the first months after hospital discharge.

The main objective of this study is to obtain insight in the nutrient and fluid
intake and nutrient and biomarker concentrations in the blood of patients after
an acute ischemic stroke during initial hospital care until 13 weeks after
hospital admission

This is an observational, multi-centre, longitudinal study in 50 subjects with
an acute ischemic stroke.

For patients questionnaires will be administered and at home they have to
complete a 3-day dietary intake diary twice. In addition blood will be
collected 4 times.
Subjects should comply with the instructions not to donate blood during study
participation and to be fasted at the time of blood withdrawal (which means not
to eat and drink at least 7 hours before; drinking of water is allowed up to 1
hour before sampling).
Results of the study will provide insight in the nutritional status of the
subjects. This information will be very useful for future monitoring of stroke
patients and the possibility to provide additional nutritional advice or
supplements to prevent deficiencies.
The burden is considered minimal and in our opinion, the benefits of a
potential better nutritional status for future patients outweigh the burden of
this study.
In addition, blood parameters will be analysed after the end of the study.
Results will be shared with the study team in the hospital and reviewed by a
physician on clinical relevance. In case of clinically relevant deviations the
subject and his/her General Practitioner will be informed of this.