Serum Uric Acid Levels at Admission Could Predict the Chronic Post-stroke Fatigue

BackgroundPost-stroke fatigue (PSF) is a frequent complication of stroke. Serum uric acid (SUA) is frequently thought to be a risk factor for stroke. This study aimed to investigate whether SUA also played a role in PSF. MethodsSubjects with ischemic stroke were screened from The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University between January 2020 and October 2020. Patients' fatigue symptoms were assessed by the Fatigue severity scale (FSS). To investigate the relationship between SUA and PSF, binary logistic regression analysis was conducted, with the confounders being controlled. SUA levels were divided into four layers (Q1 <= 245 mu mol/L; Q2 246-308 mu mol/L; Q3 309-365 mu mol/L; Q4 >= 366 mu mol/L) based on the quartiles. ResultsSUA levels were significantly higher in the PSF group (345.96 +/- 73.78 mu mol/L) than the non-PSF group (295.97 +/- 87.8 mu mol/L, P < 0.001). There were no differences in any other variables between these two groups. After adjusting the confounders, the risk of PSF in the Q4 layer (>= 366 mu mol/L) was 6.05 times (95% CI 1.79-20.43, P = 0.004) higher than that in Q1 (<= 245 mu mol/L). ConclusionHigh SUA at admission was an independent risk factor for fatigue 1 year after stroke onset. High SUA (>= 366 mu mol/L) during stroke deserves more attention, and active control of high SUA levels may be beneficial to reduce the incidence of PSF in the chronic stage following stroke.