Better outcome after stroke with higher serum cholesterol levels.

Abstract

To examine whether serum cholesterol levels have any prognostic value in the first month following acute ischemic stroke. Although the association between serum cholesterol levels and cerebrovascular disorders has been extensively studied, the relationship between cholesterol levels and outcome following ischemic stroke has not been investigated. Using data from 3,273 consecutive patients with first-ever ischemic stroke, the authors compared poor functional outcome (severe disability or death) at 1 month in patients with high cholesterol (total serum cholesterol greater than 6.5 mmol/L or 250 mg/dL) and normal cholesterol (level equal to or less than 6.5 mmol/L or 250 mg/dL). Data were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis. In comparison with patients with normal cholesterol levels, patients with high cholesterol levels had a 2.2-fold lower risk of death (p = 0.002) and a 2.1-fold lower risk of poor functional outcome at 1 month (p < 0.001). After adjustment for known confounding variables, multivariate analysis showed that higher cholesterol levels remained an independent predictor of better functional outcome (OR 0.48, CI 0. 34 to 0.69, p < 0.001). The authors' findings suggest that higher levels of cholesterol are associated with a better outcome in the early phase after ischemic stroke.