Correlation of C–Reactive Protein in Acute Ischemic Stroke – An Original Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Dr. U. Srinivas; Dr. Y. Nikilesh; Dr. K. Sudhakar

Volume : IX, Issue : IV, April - 2019

Correlation of C–Reactive Protein in Acute Ischemic Stroke – An Original Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Dr. U. Srinivas, Dr. Y. Nikilesh, Dr. K. Sudhakar

Abstract :

Aim: Ischemic stroke is the 2nd leading cause of death in the world after Acute Myocardial Infarction according to WHO. This study was done to estimate the role of C–Reactive protein (CRP) as a marker of acute inflammation following ischemic stroke and to determine, its prognostic role in assessing the functional outcome of patient using modified Barthel index scoring. Method: A prospective study, including 100 subjects was done in a tertiary care hospital in South India. Patients presenting with ischemic stroke are evaluated clinically and investigated with CT imaging and CRP levels and other blood parameters were determined. Modified Barthel index was assessed. A statistical analysis was done to know the relation between severity of stroke and CRP levels. Results: In this study there were 52 (out of 100) mild cases on day 1 according to Barthel Index. Their CRP values at admission was < 6 mg/l. There were 30 patients with moderate disability. 29 (96.7) of them had CRP value < 6mg/l and one patient > 6mg/l (3.3). Among these 30 patients, 29 patients showed improvement in their Barthel scores by day 5, at discharge and at 3months. 18 patients on day 1 in the study group were severely disabled and 13 (72.2) patients had CRP value >6mg/l on day one. Conclusion: patients with low CRP levels had a good outcome at discharge and 3 month follow up. Elevated CRP is highly sensitive, nonspecific and an independent risk factor for prediction of ischemic stroke. Elevated CRP at admission is a good tool to assess the prognosis of patients following ischemic stroke in comparison to cholesterol levels