Determinants Associated with Increased Risk of Cognitive Impairment in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Objective: To identify significant determinants associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment in the acute phase of ischemic stroke. Methods: The study was carried out on 47 patients (26 males and 21 females, mean age 63 years), admitted to the Neurology Clinic, University Hospital of Pleven, within the first 24 hours of stroke onset. Clinical, neuropsychological and neuroimaging studies were performed. Routine biochemical blood parameters and serum concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured on admission of the patients to the clinic. Results: Our results showed that 57% of the patients had cognitive impairment at hospital discharge. Age (p=0.0001), education (p=0.001), baseline systolic blood pressure (p=0.015), hyperglycemia (p=0.021) and serum hs-CRP level (p=0.050) on admission were the significant determinants of early cognitive deterioration. Of all the variables, serum hs-CRP level (OR 1, 12 (1,00-1,25), p=0,049), gender (OR 5,97 (1,05-34,00), p=0,044) and age (OR 1,30 (1,09-1,55), p=0,004) were identified as independent predictors of post-stroke recovery. Discussion: Measuring of serum hs-CRP in correlation with some clinical parameters in acute ischemic stroke is important factor for prevention of post-stroke cognitive disturbances.