Blood biomarkers for physical recovery in ischemic stroke: a systematic review

Stroke is a common cause of physical disability. Biomarkers have been used to predict prognosis in ischemic stroke, but studies linking biomarkers to physical recovery from ischemic stroke have not been systematically evaluated since 2011. The purpose of this paper is to report the findings of a systematic review of the intervening literature to identify potential predictive biomarkers for recovery of physical function following ischemic stroke. The PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL databases were searched for studies reported between January 1, 2011, and September 18, 2018. Search criteria were adult ischemic stroke patients, blood sample collection within 24 ± 6 hrs of stroke onset, and outcome measures, including physical function. Identified from 18 studies and representing four biological classifications, 34 biomarkers were significantly associated with physical recovery after ischemic stroke: (1) immune response (15, 44%); (2) lipids/metabolism (4, 12%); (3) neuronal function (4, 12%); and (4) blood vessel/circulation (11, 32%). Of the predictive biomarkers associated with 1-month recovery, 60% (6 of 10) was classified into blood vessel/circulation; 54% (14 of 26) of the biomarkers associated with 3-6 month physical recovery involved the immune response. Blood biomarkers might provide useful information to improve the prediction of physical outcome after ischemic stroke. The data suggest that biomarkers from four biological classifications may predict physical recovery in patients after ischemic stroke.