Predictive value of the apolipoprotein B/A1 ratio in intracerebral hemorrhage outcomes

The apolipoprotein B (apoB)/apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1) ratio is a key indicator in predicting future cardiovascular outcomes. However, it is still unclear whether the ratio of apoB/apoA1 is a better predictor of the outcomes after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Therefore, we aimed to assess the relationships between the ratio of apoB/apoA1 and functional outcomes, all-cause mortality, and stroke recurrence in ICH patients.

Two hundred and sixteen Chinese ICH patients participated in this study from December 2018 to December 2019. Laboratory routine tests including hematology analysis, coagulation tests, and lipid levels were examined. The clinical outcomes included functional outcomes evaluated by the modified Rankin Scale score (mRS), all-cause death, and stroke recurrence 1 year after discharge. Associations between the apoB/apoA1 ratio and the outcomes were evaluated using logistic regression analysis. Based on multivariate analysis, we constructed a nomogram. Univariate survival analysis was performed by the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. All the patients were classified into two groups by the median value of the apoB/apoA1 ratio: B1 < 0.8 and B2 ≥ 0.8.

Of the 216 patients, 107 had an apoB/apoA1 ratio ≥ 0.8. Eighty-five patients had poor functional outcomes (mRS ≥ 3), and 32 patients had severe functional outcomes (mRS ≥ 4). During the 1-year follow-up, a total of 18 patients died, and 13 patients had apoB/apoA1 ratio levels ≥0.8 during the 1-year follow-up period. Moreover, 16 recurrent strokes were recorded. Adjustments for age, sex, smoking, alcohol, body mass index, lipid levels, and hematoma site and volume showed that a high apoB/apoA1 ratio was significantly related to adverse functional outcomes and all-cause mortality. The ORs for B2 versus B1 were 3.76 (95% CI: 1.37 to 10.40, p = 0.010), 22.74 (95% CI: 1.08 to 474.65, p = 0.044), and 7.23 (95% CI: 1.28 to 40.88, p = 0.025) for poor functional outcomes with mRS ≥ 3, mRS ≥ 4, and all-cause mortality, respectively.

An increased apoB/apoA1 ratio at admission was independently related to poor functional outcome and all-cause mortality in ICH patients at the 1-year follow-up.