This finding highlights the importance of infarction volume as a predictor of functional outcomes in ischemic stroke patients

Oct 13, 2025 by magicalceylontours.com 69 views

Relationship of High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (HS-CRP) levels with infarction volume and functional outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients

Introduction

Ischemic stroke is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted, causing damage to brain tissue. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 15 million people worldwide suffer from stroke each year, with ischemic stroke being the most common type. C-Reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase protein that serves as an inflammatory marker, and its levels have been increasingly used to assess the risk of ischemic stroke and as a prognostic marker. High sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (HS-CRP) levels, in particular, have been shown to be a useful indicator of inflammation and cardiovascular risk.

This study aims to examine the relationship between HS-CRP levels with infarction and functional outcome volumes in acute ischemic stroke patients. Understanding the relationship between HS-CRP levels and ischemic stroke outcomes is crucial for developing effective treatment strategies and improving patient outcomes.

Method

This study is a latitude cutting study involving 35 acute ischemic stroke patients with hypertensive risk factors treated at H. Adam Malik Hospital Medan. The study population consisted of patients who were admitted to the hospital within 24 hours of stroke onset and underwent a comprehensive evaluation, including HS-CRP levels, CT scan of the head to measure infarction volume, and neurological examination with modified rankin scale (MRS) to assess outcomes. HS-CRP examination was carried out after 3 days of onset stroke, while the outcome assessment was carried out 14 days after the onset stroke.

Patient Characteristics

The research subject consisted of 19 (54.3%) male and 16 (45.7%) female patients, with an average age of 57.78 years. The patient population was predominantly male, which is consistent with previous studies that have shown a higher incidence of ischemic stroke in men.

Results

The results of the analysis showed no significant relationship between HS-CRP levels and infarction volume (p = 0.624, r = 0.086) and functional outcomes (p = 0.869, r = 0.029). These findings suggest that HS-CRP levels may not be a useful predictor of infarction volume and functional outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients. However, there is a significant and strong relationship between infarction volume and MRS scores (p = 0.001, r = 0.760). This finding highlights the importance of infarction volume as a predictor of functional outcomes in ischemic stroke patients.

The value of the intersection point of HS-CRP levels based on the research median, which is more than 6.56 mg/L, is used as a bad predictor of outcome (MRS 3-6) in this study. This finding suggests that HS-CRP levels above the median may be associated with poorer outcomes in ischemic stroke patients.

Conclusion

This study shows the absence of a significant relationship between HS-CRP levels with infarction and functional outcome volumes in acute ischemic stroke patients. These findings are consistent with previous studies that have shown no significant relationship between HS-CRP levels and ischemic stroke outcomes. However, the results of this study show a strong and significant correlation between infarction volume and functional outcomes. This finding highlights the importance of infarction volume as a predictor of functional outcomes in ischemic stroke patients.

It is essential to note that this research has several limitations, such as a relatively small sample size and latitude cut design that does not allow researchers to analyze the causal relationship. Future studies with larger sample sizes and more robust designs are needed to confirm these findings and explore the relationship between HS-CRP levels and ischemic stroke outcomes in more detail.

Implications and Suggestions

Although HS-CRP does not show a significant relationship with the volume of infarction and functional outcomes in this study, it is still important to consider the role of inflammation in ischemic stroke. Inflammation is a key component of the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke, and HS-CRP levels may be a useful indicator of inflammation in these patients. Further research with a stronger design and a larger sample is needed to examine the role of HS-CRP and inflammation in ischemic stroke in more detail.

Handling of ischemic stroke patients must still focus on controlling risk factors, early intervention, and comprehensive rehabilitation. Early recognition and treatment of ischemic stroke are critical for improving patient outcomes and reducing the risk of complications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Relationship between High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (HS-CRP) levels and Ischemic Stroke Outcomes

Q: What is High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (HS-CRP)?

A: HS-CRP is a type of protein that is produced by the liver in response to inflammation in the body. It is a marker of inflammation and is used to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease, including ischemic stroke.

Q: What is the relationship between HS-CRP levels and ischemic stroke outcomes?

A: The relationship between HS-CRP levels and ischemic stroke outcomes is complex and not fully understood. Some studies have shown that high levels of HS-CRP are associated with poor outcomes in ischemic stroke patients, while others have found no significant relationship.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations, including a relatively small sample size and a latitude cut design that does not allow researchers to analyze the causal relationship between HS-CRP levels and ischemic stroke outcomes.

Q: What are the implications of this study for the management of ischemic stroke patients?

A: The findings of this study suggest that HS-CRP levels may not be a useful predictor of infarction volume and functional outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients. However, the study highlights the importance of infarction volume as a predictor of functional outcomes in ischemic stroke patients.

Q: What are the potential benefits of using HS-CRP levels as a prognostic marker in ischemic stroke patients?

A: HS-CRP levels may be a useful indicator of inflammation in ischemic stroke patients, which could help clinicians to identify patients who are at high risk of poor outcomes.

Q: What are the potential risks of using HS-CRP levels as a prognostic marker in ischemic stroke patients?

A: The use of HS-CRP levels as a prognostic marker may lead to over-treatment or under-treatment of patients, depending on the interpretation of the results.

Q: What are the next steps in research on the relationship between HS-CRP levels and ischemic stroke outcomes?

A: Future studies with larger sample sizes and more robust designs are needed to confirm the findings of this study and explore the relationship between HS-CRP levels and ischemic stroke outcomes in more detail.

Q: What can clinicians do to improve the management of ischemic stroke patients?

A: Clinicians should focus on controlling risk factors, early intervention, and comprehensive rehabilitation to improve patient outcomes and reduce the risk of complications.

Q: What can patients do to reduce their risk of ischemic stroke?

A: Patients can reduce their risk of ischemic stroke by controlling risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol, and by engaging in regular physical activity and a healthy diet.

Q: What are the potential consequences of not managing ischemic stroke patients effectively?

A: The potential consequences of not managing ischemic stroke patients effectively include poor outcomes, including death, disability, and reduced quality of life.

Q: What are the potential benefits of early recognition and treatment of ischemic stroke?

A: Early recognition and treatment of ischemic stroke can improve patient outcomes and reduce the risk of complications, including death, disability, and reduced quality of life.