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09:10
Determining the Functional Status of the Corticospinal Tract Within One Week of Stroke
Published on: February 22, 2020
Serum-cortisol reflects severity and mortality in acute stroke
Hanne Christensen1, Gudrun Boysen, Helle Hjorth Johannesen
1Department of Neurology, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, DK-2400 NV, Copenhagen, Denmark. hc04@bbh.hosp.dk
Journal of the Neurological Sciences
|January 7, 2004
Summary
Elevated serum cortisol levels in acute stroke patients correlate with increased short-term mortality. Higher cortisol is linked to stroke severity but not long-term outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- The adrenal stress response involves glucocorticoids, impacting metabolism and potentially exacerbating neuronal damage in acute stroke.
- Elevated stress hormones may contribute to secondary brain injury following a stroke.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between serum cortisol levels and clinical outcomes in acute stroke patients.
- To determine if serum cortisol predicts stroke severity, short-term mortality, or long-term dependency.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 172 acute stroke patients admitted within 6 hours of onset.
- Single measurement of serum cortisol within 24 hours of stroke onset.
- Correlations assessed with neurological deficit (Scandinavian Stroke Scale), lesion volume, blood glucose, vital signs, and cytokines.
Main Results:
- Serum cortisol was independently associated with increased mortality within 7 days of stroke onset (OR 1.9).
- Higher serum cortisol correlated significantly with greater neurological deficit, larger lesion volume, elevated body temperature, and increased pulse rate.
- Serum cortisol was linked to insular brain damage but did not predict death or dependency at 3 months.
Conclusions:
- Increasing serum cortisol levels are related to acute stroke mortality.
- Serum cortisol serves as a marker associated with stroke severity and related physiological markers.
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