Neurology India Medknow Publications on behalf of the Neurological Society of India ISSN: 0028-3886 EISSN: 1998-4022 Vol. 52, Num. 2, 2004, pp. 220-223

Neurology India, Vol. 52, No. 2, April-June, 2004, pp. 220-223

Original Article

Predictive value of routine hematological and biochemical parameters on 30-day fatality in acute stroke

Bhatia RS, Garg RK, Gaur SPS, Kar AM, Shukla R, Agarwal A, Verma R

Department of Neurology, King George's Medical University, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow

Correspondence Address:Department of Neurology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow - 226 003
garg50@yahoo.com

Code Number: ni04067

Abstract

Keywords: Stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, cerebral infarction, prognosis, urea, creatinine, electrolytes

Introduction

The early hours after an acute stroke are crucial, because it is the most useful time for effective intervention. It is important to determine the prognostic factors as early as possible. Many studies have highlighted the prognostic importance of various laboratory parameters like blood sugar, total leukocyte count, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).[1],[2],[3] However, few studies are available which have studied collectively the prognostic value of these parameters on multivariate analysis.[4] In this prospective study we have evaluated the significance of routine blood parameters for 30-day mortality.

Material and methods

Results

A total of 148 patients of stroke were admitted during the study period. Out of these, 8 patients were excluded because of past history of stroke. Twelve patients were excluded because they presented more than 72 hours after the onset. One hundred and twenty-eight patients were enrolled but in 12 patients, the end point could not be measured because of inadequate follow-up and hence were excluded from the study. A total of 116 patients were included (77 males and 39 females).

The demographic characteristics of all 116 patients are summarized in [Table - 1]. Sixty-two per cent (30 out of 48) patients with intracerebral hemorrhage expired whereas 22 % (15 of 68) patients with cerebral infarction expired. The mean duration of hospital stay in expired patients was shorter (5.4 ± 4.6 days) as compared to survivors (12.4 ± 8.4 days). The mean GCS score at admission was significantly lower in expired patients (6.4±3.5) as compared to survivors (13.1±2.9).
As shown in [Table - 2], after univariate analysis, amongst hematological parameters, high total leukocyte count and ESR, at admission, correlated significantly with undesirable outcome. None of the other hematological parameters studied (hemoglobin, platelet count and peak platelet aggregation) had any significant statistical correlation with regards to the outcome. Amongst the biochemical parameters, elevated urea, creatinine, serum transaminases (SGOT and SGPT) and globulin levels correlated significantly with death. Other biochemical parameters (random blood sugar, sodium, potassium, bilirubin albumin and cholesterol) did not differ significantly in the survivors and expired patients.

Logistic regression analysis was carried out amongst the significant parameters to identify independent predictors of 30-day fatality in acute stroke [Table - 3]. A low GCS score was also included in the model and was found to be significantly lower in the expired patients. High serum creatinine, SGPT, ESR and total leukocyte count correlated with death.

Discussion

In this study the prognostic value of various routine clinical and biochemical parameters has been evaluated. The only clinical parameter evaluated in our study was the GCS score to quantify the level of consciousness. Like several studies in the past,[5],[6] our study also suggested that a low GCS score was predictive of poor outcome.

Possibly, changes in hematological parameters at the onset of stroke play an important role in altering the cerebral blood flow.[3],[4],[7] Czlonkowska et al[4] demonstrated the importance of hematocrit as a predictive factor of 30-day fatality.[4] In our study, hemoglobin, platelet counts and platelet aggregation analysis did not show any significant difference amongst expired patients and survivors. In another study, platelet count obtained within 48 hours was significantly lower in patients of ischemic stroke than the control group. The platelet count was also significantly lower in patients who later expired than who survived.[8] Leukocytosis also influences the prognosis. Several mechanisms by which leukocytes may be implicated in parenchymal brain injury include vessel plugging, release of hydrolytic enzymes, oxygen free radicals or initiation of thrombosis.[9] Leukocytosis might also be a manifestation of some common causes of fever (e.g., pulmonary or urinary tract infections, sepsis, or pulmonary embolism from deep vein thrombosis). Czlonkowska et al[4] have also demonstrated leukocytes as an independent predictor of 30-day case fatality in stroke patients. In our study, total leukocyte counts were significantly higher in expired patients, both on univariate and multivariate analysis. A high ESR value has been associated with large ischemic lesions and more severe deficits.[3] An elevated ESR value may indicate a greater increase in the concentration of fibrinogen; a more pronounced reduction in the cerebral blood flow, a larger lesion and a poor outcome.[10] Like other studies in the past, [4] in our study, a high ESR was associated with a poor prognosis.

Elevated blood glucose has been implicated as a poor prognostic factor for cerebral ischemia and hemorrhage.[11] Animal studies have demonstrated the aggravation of ischemic injury by hyperglycemia.[12] Diabetes predisposes to occlusive vascular disease but not to intracerebral hemorrhage.[13] However, in hemorrhagic strokes it predisposes to larger size of hematoma and increased mortality at 30 days.[14],[15] In diabetics, ischemic strokes are often associated with large infarct size and poor outcome due to decreased autoregulation and changes in blood coagulability.[13] Even in non-diabetic patients with hyperglycemia, the size of the lesion and neurological deficit were worse.[16] Many studies deny the prognostic significance of elevated blood glucose.[17],[18] Our study also did not observe prognostic significance of blood sugar. In our series, on univariate analysis, blood urea and creatinine levels were found significantly higher in patients who later expired. High creatinine significantly affected poor outcome on multivariate analysis. No independent effect of urea was noted on mortality. Woo et al have demonstrated that higher plasma urea and creatinine levels are associated with more severe stroke and a low GCS score, however, these parameters have no independent effect on mortality. [18] We could not observe any prognostic value of electrolyte estimations. Among liver function tests serum transaminases and globulin levels were found to be significantly associated with poor outcome on univariate analysis. After multivariate analysis, only SGPT correlated with poor outcome. Low albumin levels were related to increased incidence of hemorrhagic stroke.[19] Low albumin, globulin ratio was found to predispose to recurrent strokes.[20]

Serum lipids have been linked to a higher risk of ischemic stroke. [21] An inverse association exists for total cholesterol and cerebral hemorrhage. A greater mortality is observed from hemorrhagic stroke with serum cholesterol levels under 160 mg/dL.[22] In a recent study total cholesterol measured within 24 hours suggested that higher levels of cholesterol were associated with a favorable early outcome after ischemic stroke.[23] We could not establish any prognostic significance of cholesterol levels.

In conclusion, a high ESR, total leukocyte count, creatinine and SGPT and a low GCS score at admission are independent predictors of 30-day fatality in acute stroke.

References

Copyright 2004 - Neurology India

The following images related to this document are available:

Photo images