Prognostic impact of blood urea nitrogen/creatinine ratio changes in patients with acute ischemic stroke

Abstract

BackgroundBlood urea nitrogen (BUN)/creatinine (Cr) ratio was an independent predictor of stroke-in-evolution (SIE) among patients who had suffered an acute ischemic stroke. We investigated the association of changes in BUN/Cr on stroke outcome during hospitalization after acute ischemic stroke (AIS). MethodsAIS patients admitted within 3 days from stroke onset (2020–2021) were included in the study. Baseline data, including BUN and Cr levels, were collected. Univariate linear regression and a multivariate regression model were applied to assess the relationship between the change of BUN/Cr and short-term outcomes. ResultsOne hundred and eighty-one patients were included. The mean increase of BUN/Cr level was − 2.0 ± 1.78. Univariate linear regression suggested that baseline NIHSS, thrombolysis, change of BUN/Cr, and history of atrial fibrillation, statin use, and antiplatelet therapy was associated with the decrease in NIHSS during hospitalization (P < 0.05). After adjusting for potential confounders, multivariate regression analysis revealed the associations between the decrease in BUN/Cr and favorable outcome are significant (β = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.14,−0.28). ConclusionThe decrease in BUN/Cr is positively correlated with a better early neurological improvement in AIS patients.