The association between HALP score and infection in acute ischemic stroke patients

Background and purpose: Stroke-associated infection (SAI) is related to increased mortality in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) cases. The HALP index is used to evaluate nutrition and inflammation. Our research aimed to assess the relation between HALP scores and infection risk in AIS cases. Materials and methods: 132 cases of acute ischemic stroke were registered. 77 cases were male and 55 cases were female. The median age of the attending cases was 66 (35-104) years. Laboratory variables were assessed within 24 h after hospitalization in the neurology care unit. The HALP score is evaluated utilizing the formula "Hemoglobin (g/dL) x Albumin (g/dL) x Lymphocyte (/10 3/uL) / Platelet (/10 3/uL)". Results: Cases were separated into two groups according to their corresponding HALP score. Group-1 cases have a low HALP score (HALP score <= 18227,93). Group-2 cases have a high HALP score (HALP score > 18227,93). 26 (19.6 %) cases were diagnosed with various infections after hospitalization in the neurology care unit. Urinary tract infections were frequent infection causes in AIS cases (13 cases, 50 %). Pneumonia was observed in 8 cases, making up 30 % of the total cases. Another infection was seen in 5 (20 %) of the cases. The frequently encountered bacteria were Escherichia coli ESBL + (n = 7, 27 %) and Staphylococcus aureus (n n = 6, 23 %). The mortality ratio was higher in Group-1 cases than in Group-2 cases (34 % vs 7 %). Conclusions: This investigation has suggested a relationship between infection and HALP score in AIS patients.