Study of Serum Albumin as a Predictor Of Short Term Functional Outcome in Acute Ischemic Stroke

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Stroke is a life threatening neurological disorder. Identification of predictors of mortality is vital so that prompt therapeutic measures can be instituted to improve outcome. Animal studies have shown neuroprotective effect of albumin in ischemic stroke. But this has not been studied well enough in humans to recommend supplementation of albumin as a therapeutic measure in stroke. The objective of this study is to determine the association between the serum albumin at admission and the stroke severity as well as functional outcome at 7 days. METHODS: The study was done over a period of 6 months and included 100 subjects with first ever stroke which was proved to be ischemic by CT Brain. After a detailed history and clinical examination, lab investigations including serum albumin were sent. Patients with history of previous stroke and those with conditions predisposing to hypoalbuminemia were excluded from the study. The severity of stroke was measured using Scandinavian Stroke Scale and the functional status at 7days was assessed using modified Rankin scale. Statistical analysis was done to determine the association between serum albumin and stroke severity as well as functional outcome and to find out the correlation between these. RESULTS: There was no significant variation in serum albumin with age and sex. There was definite association between serum albumin at admission and the severity of stroke. There was negative correlation between serum albumin value and the MRS score thereby indicating better outcome with higher albumin level. CONCLUSION: 1. Serum Albumin levels have significant association with the severity as well as short term functional outcome of ischemic stroke. 2. Improving serum albumin levels may improve the functional outcome of acute ischemic stroke. So the study concludes that higher the serum albumin, lesser the stroke severity and better the prognosis