Can routine biochemical tests be a short-term prognostic biomarker in patients operated for chronic subdural hematoma?

Abstract

Objectives: The effect of routine blood biochemistry parameters on the short-term prognosis of patients with chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) has not been evaluated in literature before. In this study, it was aimed to establish markers for determination of short-term prognosis using data of patients who were operated for CSDH. Methods: During admission to hospital, data of patients including age, sex, antiaggregan and/or anticoagulant drugs usage, comorbidity, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and Glasgow Outcome Scale scores were evaluated. Location and thickness of CSDH were recorded using brain CT or MR images. Blood leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, eosinophil, basophil, platelet count results, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-lymphocyte ratio results, activated prothrombin time and INR values, serum glucose, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, C-reactive protein, sodium, potassium, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine level values were also recorded. Patients were divided into two groups according to CSDH located “unilaterally (n=19)” and “bilaterally (n=12)”. In addition, patients with unilateral CSDH were divided into two groups as CSDH located at the "right hemisphere (n=6)” and "left hemisphere (n=13)". Results: It was concluded that short-term prognosis of patients with unilateral or bilateral CSDH was similar. Correlation analysis showed no correlation between short-term prognosis and demographic, clinical and laboratory findings. However, Likelihood Ratio test revealed that GCS score could be a biomarker in order to predict short-term prognosis of these patients, albeit weak (X2=6.138, p=0.046). Conclusion: It was thought that GCS scores could be effective in predicting short-term prognosis in patients with CSDH but routine biochemistry laboratory parameters could not predict short-term prognosis of these patients.