Early neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is a prognostic marker in acute minor stroke or transient ischemic attack

In this study, we aimed to demonstrate early neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is a prognostic marker in acute minor stroke or transient ischemic at tack. 196 patients diagnosed with acute minor stroke or transient ischemic attack within 24 h of symptom onset were enrolled. Patients were divided into three groups according to the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio value (<  2, 2–3, >  3). Clinical, neuroradiological, laboratory and follow-up data were collected from electronic database. Functional outcome was assessed by modified Rankin Scale. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio associated with functional outcome of 90 days was evaluated by logistic regression analysis, and we use d receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to detect the overall predictive accuracy of this marker. Early neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was associated with an increased risk of short-term functional outcome (OR 4.502, 95% CI 1.533–13.046,P = 0.006). The optimal cutoff value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio for prediction of short-term unfavorable outcome was 2.94 with a sensitivity of 69.6% and a specificity of 77.1% (area under the curve: 0.767, 95% CI 0.691–0.843). Early neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is associated with shor t-term unfavorable functional outcome in patients with acute minor stroke or transient ischemic attack. Early neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is beneficial for clinicians to distinguish minor disabling ischemic stroke at an early stage.

Source: Acta Neurologica Belgica - February 7, 2020 Category: Neurology Source Type: research