Abstract
Background
Several factors affect acute ischemic stroke (AIS) outcomes.
Objective
This study aimed to assess the role of the leukocyte count, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and c reactive protein (CRP) as early predictors of outcome in AIS patients.
Methods
This study was conducted on 60 AIS patients. They were subjected to detailed history taking, clinical examination, brain imaging, and laboratory assessment including the CRP, white blood cell (WBC) count, absolute neutrophil count (ANC), absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), and NLR which is calculated by dividing ANC by ALC. Neurological scales were used to assess the level of consciousness by the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and stroke severity by the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at the first 48 h of stroke onset as well as 1 week and 2 weeks later for the assessment of short-term functional neurological outcome.
Results
Sixty percent of the patients had unfavorable outcomes assessed by the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Patients with unfavorable outcomes had higher NIHSS scores. NLR was positively correlated with WBC count, ANC, and CRP. The higher WBC, NLR, and NIHSS, the unfavorable the outcome was.
Conclusion
The higher WBC, the NLR, and the level of CRP at the onset of AIS, the more severe stroke and the poorer the short-term outcome are expected.
Evaluation of inflammatory markers, prolactin and mean platelet volume as short-term outcome indicators in young adults with ischemic stroke