Background: The prognostic value of the neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in ischemic stroke remains debated due to cohort variability and treatment heterogeneity across studies. This study evaluates the relationship between admission NLR, stroke severity and 90-day outcomes in patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (LVO) undergoing early, successful revascularization. Methods: A retrospective multicenter study was conducted with 1082 patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke. The relationship between admission NLR, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), 24 h NIHSS and 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) outcomes was analyzed using logistic regression. Results: Admission NLR correlated weakly but significantly with both baseline (p = 0.018) and 24 h (p = 0.005) NIHSS scores, reflecting stroke severity. However, multivariate analysis showed that higher 24 h NIHSS scores (OR 0.831, p = 0.000) and prolonged puncture-to-recanalization times (OR 0.981, p = 0.000) were independent predictors of poor 90-day outcomes, whereas NLR was not (p = 0.557). Conclusions: Admission NLR is associated with stroke severity but does not independently predict clinical outcomes at 90 days in patients achieving early and successful revascularization. These findings underscore the critical role of inflammation in the acute phase of stroke but suggest that its prognostic value for long-term outcomes is limited in this context.
Background/Objectives: The C-reactive protein-to-lymphocyte ratio (CLR) has emerged as an inflammatory biomarker reflecting innate and adaptive immune responses. Its prognostic value in acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy remains unclear. This study investigated whether CLR predicts functional outcome, mortality, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). Methods: In this multicenter retrospective study, 714 patients with anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion treated with mechanical thrombectomy between January 2024 and January 2025 were analyzed. Clinical, angiographic, and laboratory data, including CLR, were collected. CLR was calculated as CRP divided by lymphocyte count/1000. Outcomes were 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS; poor outcome = 3–6; mortality = 6) and sICH per ECASS II. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses identified optimal CLR cut-offs. Logistic regression analyses determined independent predictors of outcomes. Results: sICH occurred in 39 patients (5.5%). CLR correlated with higher baseline NIHSS and lower ASPECTS. ROC analyses showed that CLR predicted poor functional outcome and mortality with an identical cut-off (≥7.51; AUCs 0.634 and 0.664), and demonstrated strong discrimination for sICH (cut-off ≥ 10.64; AUC 0.855). In multivariable analyses, CLR remained an independent predictor across all outcomes (ORs 1.02, 1.02, and 1.03, all p < 0.001), in addition to established clinical factors. Conclusions: Admission CLR was independently associated with poor outcomes, mortality, and sICH after mechanical thrombectomy. As an easily obtainable marker from routine laboratory tests, CLR may provide additional prognostic information and complement established predictors, but prospective validation is required.
Background/Objective: Malnutrition and sarcopenia are common complications after ischemic stroke and have a negative impact on prognosis. The C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR) reflects both inflammation and nutritional status, but its predictive role in this setting has not been widely studied. This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of CAR (C-reactive protein/albumin ratio) for malnutrition risk and probable sarcopenia in patients with ischemic stroke. Methods: In this prospective observational study, 197 patients with acute ischemic stroke were evaluated. Patients with chronic renal or hepatic failure, malignancy, active infection, and hand disability preventing grip strength measurement were excluded. Demographic data (age, sex), vascular risk factors, the NIHSS score, and laboratory parameters were recorded. The nutritional status of patients was assessed using the Nutritional Risk Screening-2002 (NRS-2002), and sarcopenia risk was evaluated with the SARC-F questionnaire. Handgrip strength was measured in patients with high SARC-F scores to define probable sarcopenia. CAR was calculated from serum CRP and albumin levels. Logistic regression was applied to identify independent predictors, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed to determine the discriminatory ability and cut-off values of CAR. The nutritional status of patients admitted to the neurology clinic with acute ischemic stroke was assessed using the Nutritional Risk Screening-2002 (NRS-2002), and sarcopenia risk was evaluated with the SARC-F questionnaire. Handgrip strength was measured in patients with high SARC-F scores to define probable sarcopenia. CAR was calculated from serum CRP and albumin levels. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed. Results: Malnutrition risk was identified in 32.5% of patients, and probable sarcopenia was identified in 19.3% of patients. ROC analysis showed that CAR had acceptable discriminatory power for both conditions. In multivariate analysis, CAR was consistently identified as an independent predictor of malnutrition risk and possible sarcopenia. ROC analysis for malnutrition risk showed an AUC of 0.750 (cut-off: 0.306; sensitivity 68.8%; specificity 75.2%). In regression analysis, CAR (OR = 2.13; 95% CI: 1.39–3.26; p < 0.001), age (OR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.02–1.09; p = 0.003), and NIHSS (OR = 1.11; 95% CI: 1.01–1.23; p = 0.026) were independent predictors. For probable sarcopenia, ROC analysis revealed an AUC of 0.814 (cut-off: 0.320; sensitivity 81.6%; specificity 71.7%). Multivariate analysis identified CAR (OR = 1.73; 95% CI: 1.19–2.52; p = 0.004), age (OR = 1.11; 95% CI: 1.05–1.18; p < 0.001), and NIHSS (OR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.05–1.35; p = 0.007) as independent predictors. Conclusions: CAR was identified as an independent predictor of both malnutrition risk and probable sarcopenia in ischemic stroke patients. CAR may serve as a reliable biomarker for early nutritional and functional risk stratification in clinical practice.
Purpose: Migraine is a prevalent and debilitating neurological condition that can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. While various genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development and chronification of migraine, the role of specific environmental factors in the chronification of this condition remains inadequately explored. This article aims to address this research gap by focusing on the impact of manageable and unmanageable factors on the chronicity of migraine. Patients and methods: This cross-sectional observational study included 498 patients diagnosed with episodic or chronic migraine. Demographic characteristics of the patients were recorded on the demographic data form. Then, the patient’s headache characteristics (duration, type, presence of aura, accompanying features, etc.) and the answers to the questions about possible triggers of migraine and environmental factors were recorded in the data form. Results: In the chronic migraine group, oversleeping and stress were reported as triggers at a higher rate than in the episodic migraine group. In the episodic migraine group, it was found that participants who had TV transmitters were significantly less likely to benefit from treatment, while in the chronic migraine group, it was found that participants who had pets were significantly less likely to benefit from treatment. Conclusion: This study sheds light on the intricate relationship between environmental factors, migraine phenotype, and treatment response. By using comprehensive statistical methods and analyzing a rich dataset, we have gained valuable insights into the complexities of migraine management.
30 August 2021 in TURKISH JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES
Background/aim: Headaches are one of the most common neurological symptoms. They adversely affect daily life, reduces the workforce, and have high health costs. Managing this symptom in primary care will free up secondary and tertiary health services to better treat patients who need follow-up by specialists. In the present study, we aim to show the rate at which this problem can be solved in primary care for patients who applied tertiary care services with a headache for the first time. Materials and methods: Our research is a cross-sectional study of 207 patients who applied to the neurology clinics for the first time with headache. Two questionnaires were prepared by the researchers. IBM SPSS v: 21.0 was used for statistical analysis, and the level of significance was p < 0.05. Results: The opinions of the patients on the evaluability of headache in primary care were compared. Family physicians and neurologists gave similar responses about the disease management, at a rate of 96.6%, this was found to be statistically significant and shows strong agreement. Both groups of physicians thought that 70% of patients, on average, who applied to the neurology clinics with headache for the first time could be managed in primary care. However, only 9.2% of the patients share this opinion with physicians. Primary headache cases constitute most of the cases that are thought to be solved in primary care. It was revealed that the number of patients seeking primary care with this complaint was lower than expected. Conclusion: Patients with headache applied tertiary care instead of primary care for different reasons. Both neurologists and family physicians stated that most patients evaluated in tertiary care could be managed in primary care.