Plasma adiponectin levels and five-year survival after first-ever ischemic stroke

Background and Purpose - This study aimed to investigate the association between plasma adiponectin levels and 5-year survival after first-ever ischemic stroke. Methods - Plasma adiponectin measured within 24 hours after first-ever ischemic stroke was related to 5-year outcome. The Kaplan-Meier technique was applied in survival analysis, and the Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the relationship between risk factors and prognosis. Results - The probabilities of death were 92.8%, 52.5%, and 10.5% (P < 0.001) for patients stratified according to tertiles of adiponectin (< 4 mu g/mL, 4 to 7 mu g/mL, and > 7 mu g/mL, respectively). The relative risk of death was 8.1 (95% CI, 3.1, 24.5; P < 0.001) for individuals with adiponectin levels in the lowest tertile compared with the upper tertile. Adiponectin < 4 mu g/mL (hazard ratio [HR], 5.2; 95% CI, 2.1, 18.4; P < 0.001), score > 15 in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (HR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.7, 15.9; P < 0.001), and coronary heart disease (HR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.5, 12.3; P < 0.001) were independently associated with mortality. Conclusions - Low plasma adiponectin is related to an increased risk of 5-year mortality after first-ever ischemic stroke, independently of other adverse predictors.