Cutaneous temperature sensitivity alteration in subjects with chronic stroke sequelae - pharmacological perspectives.

Background: Stroke can result in body temperature sensitivity changes. This study analyzed abnormal temperature perception of patients with stroke and the use of vasoactive drugs.

Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective study was carried out consisting of 100 patients (55.6±12.9 years old), from both genres, with either hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke, with unilateral hemiplegia or hemiparesis. Subjects had axillary temperature and different temperature sensitivities of the limbs measured using a visual analog scale (VAS). Information on the use of medical drugs was collected in clinical records.

Results: In total, 64 patients reported body temperature alterations, and 62 patients stated they feel cold in the affected side. They reported 6.12±2.44 cm alteration for the upper limb and 6.72±2.44 cm for the lower limb in the VAS. Some 86 different drugs were identified in the 85 medical records available. There was a prevalence of a group of drugs formed by the β-blockers, dopamine agonists, dopamine reuptake Inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and another group formed by the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Conclusions: Most of the subjects reported a sensation of cold in the affected limbs. The β-blockers, dopamine agonists, dopamine reuptake inhibitors, and TCAs seem to be related to this sensation, however, due to the number of uncontrolled variables that may be related to these drugs and the possible role of nitric oxide, it was not possible to establish precise relations regarding the use of a specific group of drugs and the cold sensation in the affected limbs, as reported by the patients.