Association between serum uric acid levels and prognosis in acute ischemic stroke: a prospective case study

Abstract

Objective To investigate the association between serum uric acid (SUA)levels and outcome in acute ischemic stroke. Methods A total of 388 acute ischemic stroke patients were included in the prospective case study.Data on demographic characteristics, risk factors for life style, history of disease, the admission SUA and outcome at discharge were collected for all participants. Results Mean serum uric acid levels were (284.5±83.6) μmol/L in the normal uric acid? group, and( 455.3±78.1 )μmol/L in the high uric acid group(P<0.01). There were significant differences in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at two weeks between the high UA group and the normal UA group〔(11.0±6.0) vs. (11.0±5.3), P=0.048〕, and also in early neurological improvement (P=0.048). A significant difference was found in serum uric acid level between patients with good versus poor neurological function outcome(P=0.045). Conclusions There is the association between admission serum uric acid levels and outcome in acute ischemic stroke. Elevated serum uric acid level predicts a lower chance of a poor outcome in acute ischemic stroke. Key words: Stroke; Uric acid; Prognosis