Prognostic significance of plasma resistin levels in patients with atherothrombotic ischemic stroke

Abstract

Background Resistin (RSN) is an adipocytokine involved in insulin resistance, obesity and atherosclerosis. This study aimed to investigate the association between plasma RSN and outcome after ischemic stroke. Methods RSN measured within 24 h after the event was related to functional outcome and 5-year survival in 211 subjects with first-ever atherothrombotic ischemic stroke. Prognosis was assessed by the Kaplan Meier and the Cox techniques. Results The probabilities of death were 80.4%, 46.2% and 15.7% ( p < 0.001) for patients stratified according to tertiles of RSN (> 30 ng/mL, 20–30 ng/mL and < 20 ng/mL, respectively). The proportion of dependency (modified Rankin Scale score ≥ 3) was greater in 5-year survivors with RSN in the upper tertile (6/11 [54.5%]) compared to the middle (20/56 [35.7%]) and the lowest tertile (8/43 [18.6%]; p < 0.01). C-reactive protein levels (hazard ratio [HR] 3.96 [95% CI 2.06, 8.91]; p < 0.001), coronary heart disease (2.69 [1.62, 6.23]; p < 0.001), RSN levels (2.12 [1.31, 5.08] p < 0.001), National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score (2.02 [1.23, 4.49]; p < 0.01) and age (1.84 [1.19, 3.93]; p < 0.01) were independent predictors of death. Conclusions High plasma RSN appears to be associated with increased risk of 5-year mortality or disability after atherothrombotic ischemic stroke, independently of other adverse predictors.