title: Can high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and ferritin predict functional outcome in acute ischemic stroke? A prospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Inflammation may not only be the consequence of brain infarction but it may also contribute to ischemic damage. However, the role of inflammatory markers in predicting functional outcome in stroke remains controversial.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted to evaluate the predictive value of admission high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and ferritin levels for functional disability in patients with acute ischemic stroke at 3-month follow-up and investigate the relationship between inflammatory markers and subtypes, severity, and risk factors of ischemic stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-two patients were examined prospectively within 48 hours after onset of ischemic stroke. Plasma hs-CRP and ferritin measurements were obtained from patients within 48 hours after onset and at 3-month follow-up. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the level of hs-CRP: elevated (serum hs-CRP ≥0.5 mg/dL) and normal (serum hs-CRP<0.5 mg/dL) hs-CRP groups. Stroke severity was analyzed by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and functional disability was assessed by the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and Functional Ambulation Scale (FAS). Stroke subtypes were classified according to the Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Except for the correlation between hs-CRP levels and FIM scores on admission, no significant correlation was found between laboratory markers and FIM, FAS, and NIHSS scores and stroke subtypes on admission and at 3-month follow-up (P ≯ .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study revealed that neither hs-CRP nor ferritin levels could predict functional disability 3 months after stroke onset. FIM, FAS, and NIHSS scores were more useful in predicting functional outcome 3 months after stroke onset than the laboratory markers evaluated in this study.
authors.affiliation: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic, Kadirli Government Hospital, Osmaniye, Turkey.
authors.forename: Aslihan Kusvuran
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Ozkan
authors.forename: Oya Umit
authors.initials: OU
authors.lastname: Yemisci
authors.forename: Sacide Nur
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Saracgil Cosar
authors.forename: Pinar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Oztop
authors.forename: Nur
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Turhan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D005293:Ferritins
keywords: ferritin; functional disability; high-sensitivity C-reactive protein; ischemic stroke