Application of Prognostic Nutritional Index in the Predicting of Prognosis in Young Adults with Acute Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND

The incidence of ischemic stroke in young adults (18-45 years old) is increasing gradually. However, performing nutritional assessment in stroke patients is often challenging due to the lack of an accepted standard for nutritional assessment.

METHODS

Two hundred sixty young stroke patients were recruited in this study and 144 cases in the good prognosis group and 116 cases in the poor prognosis group were scored according to the modified Rankin scale 90 days after treatment. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was performed on admission and discharge of patients. Serum interleukin 6 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were detected at patient presentation. The Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) was assessed on admission. Calculation formula of PNI score: serum albumin (g/L) + 5× total lymphocyte count (10/L).

RESULTS

The PNI at admission of young stroke patients with poor prognosis was higher than that of those with good prognosis. PNI at admission was significantly negatively correlated with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at discharge and modified Rankin scale score after 90 days in young stroke patients. PNI at admission was also significantly negatively correlated with serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and interleukin -6 at admission.

CONCLUSIONS

PNI has a statistically predictive value for the 90-day prognosis of young stroke patients.