Association between albuminuria, glomerular filtration rate and mortality or recurrence in stroke patients

In an attempt to find new predictors of stroke prognosis, we evaluated the association of albuminuria (AUr) and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) with the recurrence of stroke and mortality.

We evaluated and followed for at least 7 months patients with first-ever stroke or transient ischemic attack admitted to a prospective cohort from March 2005 to December 2007. We analyzed traditional CV risk factors, albumin-to-creatinine ratio and eGFR (ml/min/1.73 m(2)) as predictors of mortality or recurrence.

From a total of 185 patients included [57% (104/185) men, 64 ± 13 years], 38 patients suffered from a recurrent stroke or died, with a mean follow-up of 25.1 ± 8.7 months. AUr (≥30 mg/g) was found in 50.2% (93/185), and 38.9% (72/185) presented an eGFR <60. In univariate analysis, age >65 years, eGFR ≤50, atrial fibrillation (AF), no alcohol intake and AUr >17 mg/g were associated with the composite endpoint. In a multivariate analysis, AF and AUr >17 mg/g were independent predictors of the composite endpoints, but eGFR ≤50 was not.

The presence of AUr >17 mg/g is independently associated with death or recurrence after stroke. Further studies should consider the AUr as a predictor for a worse prognosis in these patients.