An Investigation of the Correlation between miRNA-21-5p and the Classification and Short-term Prognosis of Acute Ischemic Cerebrovascular Disease

Objective center dot This study aimed to investigate the potential of miRNA-21-5p as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for acute ischemic stroke (AIS), specifically examining its relevance in distinguishing between AIS and transient ischemic attack (TIA) and its predictive ability for shortterm prognosis. Methods center dot A total of 84 AIS patients (AIS group), 39 TIA cases (TIA group), and 30 healthy volunteers (Control group) were enrolled in this study. The relative expressions of miRNA-21-5p in serum upon admission were recorded and compared. The statistical analysis involved employing Student's t-test or analysis of variance (ANOVA) to compare means. Additionally, linear correlations were evaluated to determine the associations between different variables. Results center dot The expression of miRNA-21-5p was significantly upregulated in the AIS group compared to the TIA and Control groups (P <.001), with no statistical difference observed between the TIA and Controlgroups. Furthermore, within the AIS group, the expression of miRNA-21-5p was found to be significantly increased in the poor prognosis subgroup (mRS 3-6 points) compared to the good prognosis subgroup (mRS 0-2 points) (P <.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of miRNA-21-5p for predicting AIS from TIA and 30-day poor prognosis of AIS were 0.710 and 0.641, respectively. Additionally, miRNA-21-5p showed positive correlations with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of AIS patients, respectively. Conclusions center dot Serum miRNA-21-5p levels exhibit considerable potential as a promising biomarker. They play a crucial role in distinguishing between AIS and TIA. Additionally, these levels offer valuable predictive insights into the severity and short-term prognosis of AIS.