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Published on: August 5, 2012
C-reactive protein levels in the first three hours after acute cerebral infarction
Massimo Camerlingo1, Laura Valente, Marcello Tognozzi
1Policlinico San Marco, Neurology, Osio Sotto, Bergamo, Italy. tfield@med.miami.edu
Insights
C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are significantly elevated within 3 hours of an acute ischemic stroke. This early increase in CRP is independently associated with stroke, suggesting its role in early cerebral infarction.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Biochemistry
- Inflammation Markers
Background:
- C-reactive protein (CRP) is implicated in acute ischemic stroke.
- Early investigation of CRP in cerebral infarction is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in the initial hours of acute ischemic stroke.
- To determine if CRP is an independent predictor of early stroke.
Main Methods:
- CRP levels were measured in 387 acute ischemic stroke patients within 3 hours of symptom onset.
- A control group of 387 age- and sex-matched inpatients was included.
- Statistical analysis involved multiple logistic regression.
Main Results:
- Stroke patients exhibited significantly higher CRP levels (median 5.0 mg/L) compared to controls (median 1.9 mg/L).
- CRP remained a significant independent variable associated with stroke in regression analysis.
- No significant differences in sex or mean age (66 years) between groups.
Conclusions:
- C-reactive protein (CRP) is demonstrably increased within the first 3 hours of an acute ischemic stroke.
- Early elevation of CRP is significantly associated with acute ischemic stroke.
Background:
Although thought to be involved in the precipitation of the acute ischemic stroke, C-reactive protein (CRP) was scarcely investigated in the first few hours of a cerebral infarction.
Patients And Methods:
CRP was measured in a consecutive series of patients within the first 3 h of the onset of a first-ever acute cerebral infarction, and in control inpatients, matched for sex and age (±2 years).
Results:
Three hundred eighty-seven stroke patients and 387 controls were enrolled. There were 215 men and 172 women in each group. Mean age was 66 years for both. CRP was significantly higher in stroke patients (median 5.0 mg/L, interquartile range [IQR] 2.0-10.0) than controls (median 1.9 mg/L, IQR 0.7-3.9), p < .0001. CRP remained a variable independently associated with stroke in the multiple logistic regression model.
Conclusions:
CRP appears to be significantly increased already in the first 3 h because of the acute ischemic stroke.
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