Serum Uric Acid Levels in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Study of 100 Patients

Abstract

Background: It is unclear whether Serum Uric Acid (SUA) promotes or protects against the cerebrovascular disease. Present study was done to estimate uric acid levels in patients of acute ischemic stroke. Methods: 100 cases of acute ischemic stroke were studied along with 100 controls. Risk factors for stroke were noted such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, smoking, and obesity. Serum uric acid levels were measured in cases and controls. Modified National Institute of Health (NIH) stroke scale score was calculated at admission and before discharge. Statistical analysis was performed with of SPSS 13.0 software. Results: Out of 100 patients, 63 were males and 37 were females. Mean SUA level in cases was 6.48 ± 1.92 mg / dl whereas it was 5.09 ± 1.07 mg / dl for controls. SUA values were higher among males than females, but this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.085). The mean SUA in hypertensive subjects (6.42 ± 1.85 mg / dl) was higher than that in normotensive subjects (5.49 ± 1.55 mg / dl). There was a statistically significant difference between SUA levels in diabetic (6.85 ± 1.86 mg / dl, Range 3.1 - 12 mg / dl) and non-diabetic patients (5.56 ± 1.58 mg / dl, Range 2.1 - 11 mg / dl)) (P = 0.00). Mean SUA in overweight patients was 6.48 ± 1.65 mg / dl (Range 2.1 - 9.9 mg / dl) whereas it was 5.55 ± 1.65 (Range 2.1 - 12 mg / dl) in patients who had a normal weight. The mean SUA in patients with metabolic syndrome was 6.82 ± 1.62 mg / dl (Range 2.1 - 10 mg / dl) and 5.45 ± 1.59 mg / dl (Range 2.1 - 12 mg / dl) for the subjects without metabolic syndrome. SUA levels were significantly higher among smokers compared to non smokers (6.36 ± 1.78 vs. 5.69 ± 1.67, P = 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between SUA and NIH stroke scale score (P less than 0.05). SUA levels were significantly higher in the patients who succumbed as compared to those who were discharged from the hospital (P = 0.00). Conclusions: SUA can be used as a marker for increased risk of stroke. Furthermore, SUA can also be used for risk stratification after stroke. doi:10.4021/jnr71w