Inflammatory response after stroke-A clinical observation study

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Inflammation Research
• Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

• Elevated body temperature and inflammatory markers are common in acute stroke.
• The cause of these elevations (stroke vs. complication) is unclear, potentially hindering infection diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the dynamics of inflammatory parameters in complication-free acute stroke patients.
• To differentiate between stroke-induced inflammation and inflammation from complications.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study of acute stroke patients within 48 hours of symptom onset.
• Daily monitoring for complications, with daily measurements of body temperature and blood inflammatory markers (CRP, WBC) for up to 10 days.
• Comparison of early measurements with values at 90-day follow-up.

Main Results:

• 70 patients included; 51 were complication-free.
• Body temperature, CRP, and WBC were significantly elevated in the early days post-stroke compared to 90-day follow-up.
• Peak elevations: body temperature (37.1°C at 24-48h), WBC (8.1 × 10^9/L at 0-24h), CRP (7.0 mg/L at 120-144h).

Conclusions:

• Acute stroke can lead to mild elevations in CRP, WBC, and body temperature.
• Higher levels (CRP > 50 mg/L, WBC > 11 × 10^9/L, temp > 38°C) are rare (<2.5%) in complication-free patients and likely indicate a complication.