The role of TLC, RDW, and ESR in predicting short-term prognosis among admitted patients with acute ischemic stroke: Insights from a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Stroke is the third most common cause of disability and the second most common cause of death worldwide. Prognosis assessment in acute ischemic stroke is challenging for clinicians. The development of simple and easily performed prognostic markers that correlate with the outcome of patients can be of immense benefit. The aim of this study was to find out the prognostic significance of total leukocyte count, red cell distribution width and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary center after ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee. The study period spanned from April 18, 2022 to June 17, 2023, a period of 14 months. 136 patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke with total leukocyte count (TLC), red cell distribution width (RDW), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were included in the study after fulfilling the inclusion criteria. The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was obtained 28 days following admission. Data was collected and analyzed through Microsoft Excel 365 and SPSS version 22. Spearman Correlation and multivariate regression analysis were used to analyze the association.

RESULTS

TLC, RDW, and ESR were significantly associated with an mRS at 28 days showing a positive correlation between them. Total in-hospital mortality has been significantly associated with TLC only ( < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The prognostic value of TLC, RDW, and ESR in patients with acute ischemic stroke was found to be significant and similar to the studies done in similar settings.