Predictive role of C reactive protein in stroke recurrence after cardioembolic stroke: the Fukuoka Stroke Registry.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the clinical characteristics of patients with stroke recurrence in the first year after cardioembolic stroke, and determined the predictors associated with recurrence.


METHODS
A prospective cohort study.


METHODS
Multicentre study at the Fukuoka prefecture in Japan.


METHODS
We enroled 2084 consecutive patients who were hospitalised in stroke centres within 7 days of onset from June 2007 to October 2009. The clinical characteristics of patients were assessed on admission, and the clinical course of all patients was followed for 1 year.


RESULTS
Of all patients, 425 (234 men, 76±11 years of age) had cardioembolic stroke and were included in this study. Fifty-one patients (12%) suffered a recurrence during the follow-up period. Age (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.06, p=0.014), and level of C reactive protein (HR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.02, p=0.018) on admission were significantly associated with recurrence in the univariate analyses. Male gender (HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.35 to 1.05, p=0.076), body mass index (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.01, p=0.093), hypertension (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.33 to 1.06, p=0.079), diastolic blood pressure (HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.00, p=0.087) and haematocrit (HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.00, p=0.052) were marginally significant in the univariate Cox analyses. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that age (HR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.06, p=0.031, per 1-year increase), and C reactive protein (HR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.02, p=0.022, per 1 mg/L increase) were independent predictors of a recurrence in the first year after cardioembolic stroke.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with cardioembolic ischaemic stroke, age and C reactive protein are independent risk factors for recurrence in the first year after onset.
Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine and Neurology, Cerebrovascular Center and Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization, Kyushu Medical Center, Fukuoka, Japan.
Takahiro
T
Kuwashiro
Hiroshi
H
Sugimori
Tetsuro
T
Ago
Junya
J
Kuroda
Masahiro
M
Kamouchi
Takanari
T
Kitazono
Stroke Medicine