The connection between peripheral inflammation links and functional prognosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke

Investigate the peripheral inflammation links (PIL) as predictors of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) severity and long-term outcomes.

Analyzing AIS patient data, linear mixed and logistic regression was employed for PIL with National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) and 3, 6 and 12 months prognosis outcomes. Restricted cubic splines (RCS) were utilized to visualize the relationships between inflammation and outcomes. Subgroup analyses were conducted to consider population heterogeneity.

Aggregate index of systemic inflammation (AISI), monocyte-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) positively correlated with NIHSS scores. Elevated AISI and NLR on admission and 24 h were significantly tied to poor 3- and 6-month outcomes (OR: 1.177 (1.044-1.328), p = 0.008), (OR: 1.139 (1.016-1.277), p = 0.026), (OR: 1.145 (1.028-1.276), p = 0.014), (OR: 1.125 (1.013-1.249), p = 0.028) with AISI boasting consistent predictive capacity up to 12 months (OR: 1.152 (1.028-1.291), p = 0.015). Only the 24-hour NLR related to 12-month prognosis. Subgroup analyses revealed a consistent predictive capacity of AISI across groups.

PIL, particularly AISI, are strong predictors of AIS severity and long-term prognosis, underscoring their potential in patient stratification for targeted interventions.