The association of statin therapy and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level for predicting clinical outcome in acute non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke.
BACKGROUND
Statins reportedly have anti-inflammatory effects aside from their cholesterol-lowering effect. We investigated the effects of statins on serum hs-CRP level and clinical outcome of acute ischemic stroke (IS) patients.


METHODS
This prospective cohort study consequently evaluated patients with acute IS in a single medical center. Serum hs-CRP levels were measured at different time points (within 48 h and 30 days post-stroke). The patients' clinical and laboratory data on admission were analyzed.


RESULTS
Total 100 patients with acute IS were divided in the statin group (n=50) and the non-statin group (n=50). Serum hs-CRP level was similar in the 2 groups within 48 h after acute IS, but was significantly lower in the statin group on Day 30 compared to the non-statin group (p<0.05). The statin group also had favorable 3-month outcome compared to the non-statin group (p<0.05). After adjustments for covariance using stepwise logistic regression, only NIHSS on admission (OR=1.38, 95% CI=1.06-1.80; p=0.02) and hs-CRP in the acute phase (OR=1.74, 95% CI=1.30-2.33; p=0.001) were significantly and independently predictive of 3-month outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
Statin therapy reduces serum hs-CRP level and may be associated with favorable 3-month outcome in patients after acute IS.
Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan.
Nai-Wen
NW
Tsai
Lian-Hui
LH
Lee
Chi-Ren
CR
Huang
Wen-Neng
WN
Chang
Shang-Der
SD
Chen
Hung-Chen
HC
Wang
Yu-Jun
YJ
Lin
Wei-Che
WC
Lin
Yi-Fang
YF
Chiang
Tsu-Kung
TK
Lin
Ben-Chung
BC
Cheng
Yu-Jih
YJ
Su
Chia-Te
CT
Kung
Shu-Hua
SH
Hung
Hsueh-Wen
HW
Chang
Cheng-Hsien
CH
Lu
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D020521:Stroke / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D002097:C-Reactive Protein