Elevated C-reactive protein levels predict worsening prognosis in Chinese patients with first-onset stroke

Abstract

The role of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in predicting prognosis after stroke in the Asian population has not been investigated. We hypothesized that elevated levels of hsCRP were associated with worsening prognosis after stroke in Chinese patients. Two hundred and ninety consecutive patients with first-onset stroke and 290 age- and gender-matched control subjects without any cerebrovascular disease were enrolled for study. Plasma hsCRP level was detected and subsequent vascular events and death were recorded in both groups over a 5-year period. Compared to control group, patients presenting with stroke had higher plasma hsCRP level (3.3 ± 3.8 vs 1.3 ± 2.2 mg/L, P< 0.01). Furthermore, in the group of patients with stroke, the mean plasma hsCRP level was higher in patients who developed subsequent vascular diseases or died as compared with the patients without further complications (4.4 ± 4.3 vs 2.7 ± 3.3 mg/L, P< 0.01). Compared to the lowest tertile of hsCRP level, the relative risk for vascular events or death in stroke patients was 2.91 in the highest tertile of hsCRP (95% CI, 1.54–5.50, P = 0.001). This increase in relative risk for vascular events or death in stroke patients continued after adjustment for age, sex and other cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes (OR: 2.771, 95% CI: 1.367–5.617, P = 0.005). These findings indicate that increased hsCRP level is associated with worsening prognosis after stroke in Chinese patients and suggests that inflammation is correlated with stroke outcome.

Key words： C-reactive protein; inflammation; stroke

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Special Funds for Major State Basic Research Program of China (973 Program) (No. G2000056901).

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