The predictive significance of ratio between white blood cells count and serum albumin in assessing the functional outcome of acute ischemic stroke

Introduction: The acute ischemic infarction is associated with significant damage to brain parenchyma, where the high degree of acute inflammation is found. This work aimed to study the predictive value of ratio between blood WBCs and serum albumin levels in assessing the functional outcome in subjects with acute ischemic stroke. Materials and methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on 223 subjects from February 2022 to August 2022 at K.R. Hospital, Mysore. The data collected from patients of acute ischemic stroke, with the onset of stroke within 24 hours. Severity of stroke was assessed by using National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at the time of admission. Data was collected using a pretested proforma meeting the objectives of the study. Results: The study has 124(55.6%) male and 99(44.4%) of female patients. Most of the patients (65%) were in the age group of more than 66 years. Most of the patients i.e., 66 (29.6%) had moderate to severe stroke at presentation as assessed by NIHSS stroke scale. At the end of third month of follow up, the acute ischemic stroke patients with MRS of >3 had WBCs count/serum albumin ratio of 4361.1 (p value - 0.001). Conclusion: The significant acute inflammation is found in acute ischemic stroke and it may be one of the causes of poor outcome and disability in so many ischemic stroke patients. This study once again endorses the use of high intensive statins and adequate dose of antiplatelet agents as early as possible in acute ischemic stroke patients. Keywords: acute ischemic stroke; WBCs; Modified Rankin Scale; NIHSS; serum albumin