Abstract Background and aims Minocycline may have neuroprotective potential in acute ischaemic stroke; however, its effects on patient-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) remain uncertain. Methods Efficacy and safety of minocycline in patients with acute ischaemic stroke (EMPHASIS) trial was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that enrolled patients with acute ischaemic stroke within 72 hours of onset. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive minocycline or placebo. HRQoL at 90 days was assessed using the patient-reported EQ-5D-3L, with utility scores derived from the China value set. The study outcomes included the utility score, the proportion of participants achieving a favourable health state (utility score≥0.75), EQ-VAS and different domains of EQ-5D-3L at 90 days. Prespecified subgroup analyses were also performed. Results Of 1724 participants, 1697 completed the 90-day HRQoL assessment (846 in the minocycline group; 851 in the placebo group). Neither EQ-5D-3L utility score nor EQ-VAS showed difference between two groups. However, a higher proportion of patients receiving minocycline achieved a favourable health state compared to those receiving placebo (73·4% vs 68·9%; relative risk 1·07, 95% CI 1·003–1·133; p=0·039). Minocycline was also associated with better outcomes in mobility, self-care, and usual activities of EQ-5D-3L (p values 0.05). The effect of minocycline may be different across different stroke aetiologies (p for interaction 0.05). Conclusions Minocycline may improve the health state and several EQ-5D domains in patients with ischemic stroke at 90 days. These findings spotlight patient-reported measures in post-stroke evaluation. Conflict of interest Qianqian Yang: nothing to disclose; Ling Guan: nothing to disclose; Yilong Wang: nothing to disclose; Luyan Wang: nothing to disclose; Yao Lu: nothing to disclose; Meiyang Zhang: nothing to disclose; Dongyang Zhou: nothing to disclose.
Yang et al. (Fri,) studied this question.
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