Nutritional deficiency in stroke patients results in poor outcome

Abstract

Summary Background & aim This study aims at evaluating the nutritional status in stroke patients and its influence on 1 month outcome. Methods Ninety-five CT proven stroke patients admitted within 1 week of stroke were included. Consciousness was assessed by Glasgow coma scale (GCS) and severity of stroke by Canadian neurological scale (CNS). Presence of gastric hemorrhage, sepsis, pneumonia and other infections was noted. For assessment of nutritional status mid-arm circumference, triceps skin fold and serum albumin were measured on admission, day 7 and day 30. Outcome was defined on the basis of the Barthel index (BI) score at 1 month. Results The median age of the patients was 55 (28–80) years and 27 were females. Sixty-one patients had intracerebral hemorrhage and 34 infarctions. Forty-three patients had evidences of undernutrition at admission and 3 more became undernourished at 1 week but at 1 month 4 patients improved to normal. Undernutrition at 1 week was related to level of consciousness, severity of stroke, gastric hemorrhage, brain herniation and septicemia. Predictors of 1 month outcome included undernutrition, septicemia and severity of stroke. Conclusion This study reveals undernutrition in 45% patients with stroke at admission which predicts poor outcome at 1 month.