Predictive Value of Serum Creatinine/Cystatin C in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Under Nutritional Intervention

Background and Purpose As a very common risk of adverse outcomes of the ischemic stroke patients, sarcopenia is associated with infectious complications and higher mortality. The goal of this retrospective study is to explore the predictive value of serum Cr/CysC ratio in acute ischemic stroke patients receiving nutritional intervention. Methods We reviewed adult patients with AIS from December 2019 to February 2020. Patients with acute kidney injury were excluded and all patients received nutritional intervention during a 3-month follow-up period. We collected baseline data at admission including creatinine and cystatin C. The primary poor outcome was major disability (modified Rankin Scale score >= 4) at 3 months after AIS. Results A total of 217 patients with AIS were identified for this study. Serum Cr/CysC ratio was significantly correlated with NIHSS at discharge, 1-month modified Rankin Scale score, and 3-month modified Rankin Scale score. During 3 months, 34 (15.70%) patients had a poor outcome after AIS and 11 (5.10%) patients died within 30 days. In multivariable logistic regression analyses, serum Cr/CysC ratio at admission was independently associated with 3-month poor outcomes (OR: 0.953, 95% CI: 0.921-0.986, p =.006) and 30-day mortality (OR: 0.953, 95% CI: 0.921-0.986, p =.006). Conclusion As a blood biochemical indexes reflecting the muscle mass and aiding in risk stratification, Cr/CysC ratio at admission could be used as a predictor of 30-day mortality and long-term poor prognosis in AIS patients.

Automated summary

Sarcopenia, a common risk factor for adverse outcomes in ischemic stroke patients, is associated with infectious complications and higher mortality. In this retrospective study, the serum Cr/CysC ratio was found to be a predictor of poor outcomes and mortality in acute ischemic stroke patients. The ratio was significantly correlated with NIHSS at discharge, 1-month modified Rankin Scale score, and 3-month modified Rankin Scale score.