Relationship between clinical and biochemical variables and short-term outcome of acute stroke

Background: Identification of predictors of outcome is vital to the development of therapeutic measures that could improve outcome. This study determined the relationship between clinical and biochemical variables on 30 days outcome after first- ever acute stroke. Methods: Consecutive first-ever acute brain CT scan confirmed stroke patients were prospectively enrolled between April 2009 and May 2010. Severity was determined using National Institute of Heath Stroke Score (NIHSS). Admission serum albumin, sodium, potassium, urea, creatinine, uric acid, blood sugar, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and total white cell count (WBC) were determined at entry. Patients were followed up for 30 days. Outcome measures were 30-day mortality and functional outcome using the Modified Rankin Scale (MRS). Relationship of these parameters and stroke outcome was determined. Results: Seventy five acute stroke cases (39 men and 36 females) were studied. Mean age was 57.68 ± 12.4years. Outcome was favourable in 48% while 30-day case fatality was 17.3%. The mean age (61.13years) of those with poor outcome was significantly higher than those with favourable outcome. Mean serum albumin (2.9g/L) of those with good outcome was also significantly higher. Patients with poor outcome had significantly higher mean admission WBC and ESR. In a multivariate logistic regression, only admission stroke severity measured by NIHSS and erythrocyte sedimentation rate correlated with 30- day case fatality and adverse functional outcome. Conclusion: Admission stroke severity (measured by NIHSS) and ESR were independent determinants of 30- day mortality