Level of Serum C-reactive Protein among Patients with Stroke

Stroke is defined by abrupt onset of neurologic deficit that is attributable to a focal vascular cause. The clinical manifestations of stroke are highly variable because of the complex anatomy of the brain and its vasculature. Ischaemic cerebrovascular disease accounts for a substantial proportion of all stroke although the proximate cause of most brain infarcts is thrombus formation, atherosclerosis is the chief underlying cause. Elevated blood level of C-reactive protein (CRP) is associated with an increased risk of atherosclerotic vascular disease including stroke. This descriptive, cross sectional study was carried out in the Department of Medicine, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh from January 2016 to June 2017 among purposively selected sixty one patients following inclusion and exclusion criteria with a view to estimate the C-reactive protein level among stroke patients. Data were collected through interview, physical examinations and laboratory investigations. Collected data were checked for consistency and completeness. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 17.00 for windows. Most (27.87%) of the patients were in age group 69-79 years. Majority (80.33%) were male. A good number (63.90%) of patients were illiterate. An overwhelming number (90.16%) of patients came from rural area and most (54.10%) were farmers. Significant number (68.86%) of patients came within 10 hours of attack. Majority of the patients (68.85%) had C-reactive protein level raised from base line and had statistical association with acute ischemic stroke. Most (80.95%) of patients with ischaemic stroke had raised level of CRP which was statistically significant. Elevation of CRP in more common in ischaemic stroke than haemorrhagic stroke.