title: Serum albumin levels in ischemic stroke and its subtypes: correlation with clinical outcome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Previous studies have associated low serum albumin levels with poor outcome in ischemic stroke. Animal studies also demonstrated neuroprotective effects of serum albumin in focal ischemia. However, there are very limited studies on the association of serum albumin levels with stroke outcome in ischemic stroke divided into subtypes. The present study was carried out to investigate the association of serum albumin levels with outcome in ischemic stroke and its subtypes.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study involved 560 patients. Serum albumin levels were estimated and follow-up interviews were conducted at 3 mo postevent to determine stroke outcome. The association between serum albumin levels and stroke outcome was evaluated by multiple logistic regression analysis after adjustment for potential confounders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Low levels of albumin associated significantly with poor outcome (score of >3 on the modified Rankin Scale). The adjusted odds ratio was 1.972 (95% confidence interval, 1.103-4.001; P < 0.001). The recurrence of stroke and death rate also was high in patients with low levels of albumin compared with patients with elevated levels of albumin. The reduced level of serum albumin associated significantly with poor outcome in all the stroke subtypes classified according to TOAST (Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Relatively high serum albumin levels in acute stroke decrease poor outcome.
authors: Institute of Genetics and Hospital for Genetic Diseases, Osmania University, Begumpet, India.
authors: Mallemoggala Sai
authors: MS
authors: Babu
authors: Subhash
authors: S
authors: Kaul
authors: Sneha
authors: S
authors: Dadheech
authors: Koppula
authors: K
authors: Rajeshwar
authors: Akka
authors: A
authors: Jyothy
authors: Anjana
authors: A
authors: Munshi
mesh_terms: D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis*; D020521:Stroke / Q000097:blood* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D012709:Serum Albumin