Charlson Comorbidity Index in Ischemic Stroke and Intracerebral Hemorrhage as Predictor of Mortality and Functional Outcome after 6 Months

Background: The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) is commonly used in outcome and mortality studies. Our aim was to investigate the association between CCI score and the functional outcome and mortality 6 months after ischemic stroke (IS) or intracerebral hemorrhage. Methods: This was a prospective observational cohort of patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage and IS admitted to the stroke unit during 18 months. The modified Rankin scale (mRS) score was obtained for subjects 6 months after event. The CCI score was dichotomized (low comorbidity 0 or 1 versus high >= 2) for analysis. The mRS score was also dichotomized (good outcome, mRS score 0 or 1 versus poor outcome, mRS score >= 2). Results: In all, 175 patients were enrolled in the study. Logistic regression showed that those with a high CCI score (>= 2) had 37.3% increased odds of having a poor outcome (>= 2) at 6 months and 68.4% greater odds of death at 6 months. Conclusions: Comorbid medical conditions independently influence outcome after IS or intracerebral hemorrhage.