Are plasma homocysteine levels related to neurological severity and functional outcome after ischemic stroke in the Korean population?

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is associated with stroke progression and functional outcome in patients with ischemic stroke

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the present research was to examine the correlation between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and stroke progression (SP) as well as the functional outcome following an ischemic stroke (IS).

METHODS

The current study was conducted as prospective observational research. A cohort of 341 participants diagnosed with IS was included in the study from March 2019 to August 2021. This study's primary measure of interest was the occurrence of SP within the initial week following hospital admission. The secondary outcome was functional status 3 months after IS as measured by a modified Rankin scale score. The association between NLR with SP, and poor functional outcomes was examined using multivariate logistic regression. The predictive value of NLR for SP and poor functional outcomes was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

RESULTS

Among the 341 enrolled patients, 56 (16.4%) had SP, and 285 (83.6%) had no SP. The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the existence of diabetes mellitus and the NLR were independently associated with SP and poor functional outcomes. The area under the ROC curve of NLR in predicting poor functional outcome was 0.6117 (95% confidence interval, .5341-.6893, p = .0032), and the optimal cut-off point was 4.2139. The sensitivity and specificity of NLR in predicting poor functional outcomes were 52.7% and 72.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Patients with acute IS exhibited a very high incidence of SP. NLR may be a valuable prognostic indicator in clinical practice because it was independently associated with SP and a poor functional outcome.

Homocysteine is associated with higher risks of ischemic stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

High levels of homocysteine (Hct) have been associated with great risks of ischemic stroke. However, some controversy still exists. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the levels of Hct between patients with ischemic stroke and controls.

METHODS

We performed a systematic literature search for articles reporting Hct levels of patients with occurrence of ischemic stroke. We employed a random-effects inverse-variance weighted meta-analytical approach in order to pool standardized mean differences, with estimation of τ2 through the DerSimonian-Laird method.

RESULTS

The initial search yielded 1361 studies. After careful analysis of abstracts and full texts, the meta-analysis included data from 38 studies, which involved almost 16 000 stroke events. However, only 13 studies reported means and standard deviations for cases and controls, and therefore were used in the meta-analysis. Those studies presented data from 5002 patients with stroke and 4945 controls. Standardized mean difference was 1.67 (95% CI 1.00-2.25, P < 0.01), indicating that Hct levels were significantly larger in patients with ischemic stroke compared to controls. Between-study heterogeneity was very large (I2 = 99%), particularly because three studies showed significantly large mean differences.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis shows that patients with ischemic stroke have higher levels of Hct compared to controls. Whether this is a modifiable risk factor remains to be assessed through larger prospective cohorts.

Impact of homocysteine levels on clinical outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke receiving intravenous thrombolysis therapy

Background

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively assess the potential correlation between clinical outcomes and homocysteine (Hcy) levels in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients after recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) treatment.

Methods

AIS patients treated by rtPA were enrolled between September 2018 and March 2019 in the Stroke Center (Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery), Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine. Demographics, baseline and clinical characteristics, and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score after three months from the onset were retrospectively analyzed. Then we compared data about demographics, baseline and clinical characteristics between patients with favorable (mRS score 0–2) and unfavorable (mRS score 3–6) outcomes.

Results

Among 141 patients, 36 patients had poor outcome, for an incidence of 25.53%. Univariate analysis showed that higher Hcy levels (OR = 1.07, 95% CI [1.02–1.12]), older age (OR = 1.06, 95% CI [1.02–1.10]), longer door to needle time (DNT) (OR = 1.03, 95% CI [1.01–1.05]), higher D-Dimer levels (OR = 1.33, 95% CI [1.03–1.71]), and higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score before treatment (OR = 1.21, 95% CI [1.08–1.35]) were each associated with poor outcome. Also, without internal carotid artery plaque (OR = 0.30, 95% CI [0.10–0.92]) showed a protective effect on patients’ clinical outcome. Patients with higher levels of Hcy decline also showed an increased risk of poor outcome for AIS patients obtaining rtPA treatment (Non-adjusted: OR = 1.07, 95% CI [1.02–1.12]; Adjust model I adjusts for demographics (age, male): OR = 1.06, 95% CI [1.02–1.11]; Adjust model II adjusts for hospital care factors (onset to treatment, DNT): OR = 1.08, 95% CI [1.03–1.13]; Adjust model III adjusts for health and stroke factors (INR, D-Dimer, HGB, NIHSS score before treatment, smoking, drinking, hypertension, diabetes, coronary disease, hyperlipidemia, previous stroke, atrial fibrillation, hemorrhagic transformation, internal carotid artery plaque): OR = 1.06, 95% CI [1.02–1.11]). The results are very stable in all three models constructed.

Conclusion

The results of this study indicate that increased Hcy level independently predicts unfavorable outcome in AIS patients accepting thrombolytic therapy. However, the contribution of Hcy to the outcome, although significant, is relatively small and perhaps not clinically significant when all the other confounders are considered.

Functionality of patients with post-stroke hemiplegia: Does serum folate level matter?

Objectives

This study aims to investigate the possible effects of folate on the functional outcomes of patients with post-stroke hemiplegia.

Patients and methods

Between January 2012 and March 2015, a total of 80 patients with hemiplegia (51 males, 29 females; mean age 60.3±13.2 years; range, 19 to 95 years) at least three months post-stroke were included in this study. Serum folate levels (ng/mL), Brunnstrom recovery stages of the lower limb, and Functional Ambulation Category (FAC) scores were recorded. All patients were divided into two groups according to the Brunnstrom stages (Category I; Stage 1-3 and Category II; Stage 4-6) and FAC scores (non-functional ambulatory; score 0-2, functional ambulatory; score 3-5).

Results

The mean serum folate level of the patient group was 6.8±2.8 ng/mL. Serum folate levels differed significantly between the Brunnstrom categories with lower levels in patients with poorer motor recovery (Category I) (p=0.047). Folate levels were also lower in non- functional ambulatory patients than those in patients with functional ambulation (p=0.046).

Conclusion

Lower serum folate levels are associated with poorer ambulation potential and impaired lower limb motor recovery in patients with post-stroke hemiplegia.

Effect of Hyperhomocysteinemia on Clinical Outcome and Hemorrhagic Transformation After Thrombolysis in Ischemic Stroke Patients

Background and Purpose: Hyperhomocysteinemia (Hhcy) is a well-known risk factor for ischemic stroke. However, the role of Hhcy in the clinical outcome of ischemic stroke has not been fully elucidated. In addition, previous studies have found that Hhcy was implicated in the disruption of the blood-brain barrier, which may increase the risk of hemorrhagic transformation (HT) after thrombolysis. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Hhcy on the clinical outcome and HT after thrombolysis in ischemic stroke patients.

Methods: Patients who were diagnosed with ischemic stroke and received intravenous thrombolytic therapy between January 2016 and September 2018 were included in this study. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between Hhcy, clinical outcome, and HT after thrombolysis. Furthermore, the potential interaction between Hhcy and hypertension on the clinical outcome and HT after thrombolysis was also assessed.

Results: Of 568 patients, 455 (80.1%) had Hhcy, 66 (11.6%) had HT, and 219 (38.6%) had poor outcome. Patients with Hhcy had a higher incidence of poor outcome than the patients with non-Hhcy (40.9 vs. 29.2%, p = 0.022). However, there was no significant difference in the incidence of HT (11.9 vs. 10.6%, p = 0.711) between patients with Hhcy and non-Hhcy. After adjustment for major covariates, multivariate logistic regression analysis disclosed that Hhcy was independently associated with increased risk of poor outcome (OR = 1.760; 95% CI: 1.069–2.896) but was not associated with the risk of HT (OR = 1.017; 95% CI: 0.495–2.087). In addition, we found no significant interaction between Hhcy and hypertension on the clinical outcome (p = 0.513) or HT (p = 0.170) after thrombolysis.

Conclusion: We found that Hhcy was an independent risk factor for poor outcome, but not an independent risk factor for HT after thrombolysis in ischemic stroke patients. In addition, there was no significant interaction of Hhcy and hypertension on the clinical outcome or HT after thrombolysis.

Significant interaction of hypertension and homocysteine on neurological severity in first-ever ischemic stroke patients

It is not known whether combination of hypertension and high homocysteine (HHcy) impacts on stroke-related neurological severity. Our aim was to determine whether there is an interaction of hypertension and HHcy on neurological severity in first-ever ischemic stroke patients. We analyzed neurological severity among 189 consecutive first-ever ischemic stroke patients with or without hypertension or HHcy. Hypertension (odds ratio [OR]: 8.086, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.596-18.181, P < .001) and total homocysteine (OR: 1.403, 95% CI: 1.247-1.579, P < .001) were independently associated with neurological severity. In receiver-operating characteristic analysis, total homocysteine was a significant predictor of neurological severity (area under curve: 0.794; P < .001). A multiplicative interaction of hypertension and HHcy on more severe neurological severity was revealed by binary logistic regression (OR: 13.154, 95% CI: 5.293-32.691, P < .001). Analysis further identified a more than multiplicative interaction of hypertension and HHcy on neurological severity compared with patients without each condition (OR: 50.600, 95% CI: 14.775-173.285, P < .001). Interaction effect measured on an additive scale showed that 76.4% patients with moderate/severe neurological severity were attributed to interaction of hypertension and HHcy. Significant interaction of hypertension and HHcy on neurological severity was found on multiplicative and additive scale in first-ever Chinese ischemic stroke patients.

No Association between Elevated Total Homocysteine Levels and Functional Outcome in Elderly Patients with Acute Cerebral Infarction

Background: An elevated plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) level is an independent risk factor for vascular events. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between tHcy levels in the acute phase of cerebral infarction and functional outcome among elderly patients.

Methods: Between October 2009 and December 2012, we recruited 594 elderly patients (age > 75) with first-onset acute cerebral infarction who were consecutively admitted to the Department of Neurology of Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, China. Levels of tHcy and other biochemical values were measured within 24 h after admission. tHcy values were classified according to quartiles (<9.94; 9.94 to <12.7; 12.7 to <16.8; and ≥16.8 μmol/L). We examined the relationship between tHcy levels at admission and modified Rankin Scale scores (mRS) using univariate and multivariate analyses. Patients were followed up at 3 months and 1 year after stroke.

Results: Within 3 months after stroke, 64 patients died, 37 had recurrent ischemic stroke, and 22 were lost to follow-up; thus, 471 patients were reviewed and analyzed. By the time of the 1-year follow-up, an additional 48 patients had died, 44 had recurrent ischemic stroke, and 40 had been lost to follow-up; the remaining 339 patients were thus reviewed and analyzed. Elevated tHcy levels were not associated with functional outcome among elderly patients with acute cerebral infarction (p > 0.05). Only the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was associated with a poor outcome after adjusting for confounders at 3 months and 1 year (adjusted odds ratio, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.28–1.49; p < 0.01; adjusted odds ratio, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.25–1.44; p < 0.01, respectively).

Conclusion: Among elderly patients with acute cerebral infarction, elevated tHcy at admission was not a predictive factor of outcome at 3 months and 1 year after stroke onset.

Association of Hyperhomocysteinemia with Stroke Recurrence after Initial Stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Homocysteine (Hcy) is closely associated with stroke. Despite the fact that Hcy has consistently been shown to predict development of recurrent stroke, prior studies on the association of Hcy and stroke subtypes have been inconclusive.

METHODS

Data from the Ege Stroke Registry were examined and 5-year follow-up data were analyzed. Multivariate survival analyses were undertaken using Cox proportional hazards models to determine the prognostic value of Hcy in different ischemic stroke subtypes.

RESULTS

Of the 9522 patients with stroke, 307 (27%) with hyperhomocysteinemia (hHcy) had recurrent stroke. Univariate Cox regression model showed that hHcy group was associated with recurrent stroke (crude hazard ratio [HR] 1.16; 95% CI 1.02-1.30). But there was no such association in multivariate regression models (adjusted HR 1.11; 95% CI .97-1.26). hHcy was not associated with any ischemic stroke subtypes at 5 years. Univariate Cox regression model showed that hHcy group was associated with overall cardiovascular events (crude HR 1.44; 95% CI 1.32-1.57). However, this association no longer existed in multivariate regression models (adjusted HR 1.01; 95% CI .93-1.12). Higher plasma Hcy group was significantly associated with higher mortality compared with normal plasma Hcy group (OR 1.83; 95% CI .45-2.32).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed that elevated Hcy is not associated independently with stroke recurrence and overall cardiovascular events in patients with ischemic stroke. There was no association between the hHcy and stroke recurrence in the stroke subtypes within 5 years.

Blood biomarkers in the early stage of cerebral ischemia

In ischemic stroke patients, blood-based biomarkers may be applied for the diagnosis of ischemic origin and subtype, prediction of outcomes and targeted treatment in selected patients. Knowledge of the pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia has led to the evaluation of proteins, neurotransmitters, nucleic acids and lipids as potential biomarkers. The present report focuses on the role of blood-based biomarkers in the early stage of ischemic stroke-within 72h of its onset-as gleaned from studies published in English in such patients. Despite growing interest in their potential role in clinical practice, the application of biomarkers for the management of cerebral ischemia is not currently recommended by guidelines. However, there are some promising clinical biomarkers, as well as the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) peptide and NMDA-receptor (R) autoantibodies that appear to identify the ischemic nature of stroke, and the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) that might be able to discriminate between acute ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. Moreover, genomics and proteomics allow the characterization of differences in gene expression, and protein and metabolite production, in ischemic stroke patients compared with controls and, thus, may help to identify novel markers with sufficient sensitivity and specificity. Additional studies to validate promising biomarkers and to identify novel biomarkers are needed.

Plasma Homocysteine and Prognosis of Acute Ischemic Stroke: a Gender-Specific Analysis From CATIS Randomized Clinical Trial

Elevated total homocysteine level (tHcy) has been hypothesized to be associated with morbidity and mortality of stroke; however, results regarding the association between plasma tHcy status and prognosis of acute ischemic stroke are inconsistent. Moreover, the gender effect on this association has yet to be explored. We thus prospectively investigated whether higher tHcy concentrations predicted poor stroke prognosis in Chinese adults. A total of 3309 acute ischemic stroke patients were included in this prospective multicenter study from the China Antihypertensive Trial in Acute Ischemic Stroke (CATIS). Baseline tHcy concentrations were quantitatively determined via enzymatic cycling assay. The primary outcome was a combination of death and major disability at 3 months (modified Rankin scale scores 3-6) after hospitalization. Multivariate logistic regression models with restricted cubic splines were used to determine the association between baseline plasma tHcy and the subsequent outcome. Higher plasma tHcy concentrations were associated with increased risks of the primary outcome in women but not in men (P _interaction = 0.016). Adjusted odds ratios comparing two extreme tHcy quartiles were 1.83 (95 % confidence interval 1.12-2.98; P _trend = 0.02) in women and 0.87 (95 % confidence interval 0.61-1.25; P _trend = 0.37) in men. The significant association between baseline tHcy status and stroke prognosis in women, but not in men, persisted in further subgroup analyses, stratified by age, baseline systolic blood pressure, and other pre-specified factors. Elevated tHcy is positively associated with poor prognosis of acute ischemic stroke in women, but not in men. Further studies are needed to replicate our findings and to clarify the potential sex-specific mechanisms.

High homocysteine and blood pressure related to poor outcome of acute ischemia stroke in Chinese population

OBJECTIVES

To assess the association between plasma homocysteine (Hcy), blood pressure (BP) and poor outcome at hospital discharge among acute ischemic stroke patients, and if high Hcy increases the risk of poor outcome based on high BP status in a northern Chinese population.

METHODS

Between June 1, 2009 and May 31, 2013, a total of 3695 acute ischemic stroke patients were recruited from three hospitals in northern Chinese cities. Demographic characteristics, lifestyle risk factors, medical history, and other clinical characteristics were recorded for all subjects. Poor outcome was defined as a discharge modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≥3 or death. The association between homocysteine concentration, admission blood pressure, and risk of poor outcome following acute ischemic stroke was analyzed by using multivariate non-conditional logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Compared with those in the lowest quartile of Hcy concentration in a multivariate-adjusted model, those in the highest quartile of Hcy concentration had increased risk of poor outcome after acute ischemic stroke, (OR = 1.33, P<0.05). The dose-response relationship between Hcy concentration and risk of poor outcome was statistically significant (p-value for trend  = 0.027). High BP was significantly associated with poor outcome following acute ischemic stroke (adjusted OR = 1.44, 95%CI, 1.19-1.74). Compared with non-high BP with nhHcy, in a multivariate-adjusted model, the ORs (95% CI) of non-high BP with hHcy, high BP with nhHcy, and high BP with hHcy to poor outcome were 1.14 (0.85-1.53), 1.37 (1.03-1.84) and 1.70 (1.29-2.34), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The present study suggested that high plasma Hcy and blood pressure were independent risk factors for prognosis of acute ischemic stroke, and hHcy may further increase the risk of poor outcome among patients with high blood pressure. Additionally, the results indicate that high Hcy with high BP may cause increased susceptibility to poor outcome among acute ischemic stroke patients in a northern Chinese population.

Homocysteine as a predictor of early neurological deterioration in acute ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Hyperhomocysteinemia is a well-known risk factor for vascular disease. However, its action, mechanism, and role in the acute phase of stroke have not been determined. We tried to determine whether an association existed between elevated serum homocysteine levels and early neurological deterioration (END) in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

METHODS

We performed a secondary analysis from the Cilostazol in Acute Ischemic Stroke Treatment (CAIST) trial, which was a double-blinded, randomized, multicenter trial, assessing the noninferiority of cilostazol over aspirin within 48 hours of an acute ischemic stroke. END was defined as an increase of ≥1 point in motor power or an increase of ≥2 points in the total National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score within 7 days.

RESULTS

The mean (±SD) serum homocysteine level was 11.4±4.7 μmol/L. Of the 396 patients studied, 57 (14.4%) patients worsened during the 7 days after inclusion. Most (68%) of the END cases occurred within the first 24 hours after treatment. High levels (>10.3 μmol/L) of serum homocysteine were independent predictors for END (third quartile odds ratio, 3.45; 95% confidence intervals, 1.25-9.50; P=0.016; fourth quartile odds ratio, 3.36; 95% confidence intervals 1.18-9.52; P=0.023) in multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with acute stroke with elevated serum homocysteine levels are at an increased risk for END.

Combination of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and homocysteine predicts the short-term outcomes of Chinese patients with acute ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND

Ischemic stroke is one of the most common causes of death worldwide. Early and accurate prediction of outcome in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is important and influences risk-optimized therapeutic strategies. We investigated the changes in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) and homocysteine (HCY) levels, two of the risk factors, during the acute period of AIS and evaluated the relationship between these levels and short-term prognosis.

METHODS

We prospectively studied 189 patients with AIS who were admitted within 24 hours after the onset of symptoms. Serum Hs-CRP, HCY levels, and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) were measured at the time of admission. Short-term functional outcome was measured by the modified Rankin scale (mRS), 90 days after admission.

RESULTS

The median serum Hs-CRP and HCY levels were significantly higher in AIS patients as compared to normal controls (P < 0.0001, respectively). High-sensitivity C-reactive protein and HCY were independent prognostic markers of functional outcome and death (adjusted for age and the NIHSS) in patients with AIS. In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the prognostic accuracy of the combined model (HCY and Hs-CRP) was higher compared to all measured biomarkers individually and the NIHSS score.

CONCLUSION

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein and HCY are independent predictors of short-term outcome and mortality after AIS. The combined model may provide additional general prognostic information.

Acute phase homocysteine related to severity and outcome of atherothrombotic stroke

BACKGROUND

Homocysteine (HCY) is associated with risk of stroke, but whether HCY affects stroke severity and prognosis remains controversial. We hypothesized HCY has an impact on atherothrombosis and this prospective study was aimed to explore the association between acute phase HCY with stroke severity and outcome in patients with atherothrombosis.

METHODS

Patients <72 h after symptom onset were categorized by the modified Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification and those typed as atherothrombosis were included. Neurologic function was assessed with National Institute of Health Stroke Score (NIHSS) <72 h after symptom onset and Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and Barthel Index (BI) 6-month, 12-month and 18-month poststroke respectively. HCY was recorded <72 h after symptom onset. Participants were divided into hHCY (HCY>15 μmol/l) and nhHCY (HCY≤15 μmol/l). The correlation between HCY and mRS was analyzed.

RESULTS

125 of 130 participants without HCY interventional therapy completed the 18-month follow-up. There was no difference in demographics, histories of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, previous cerebral vascular event, and plasma low-density lipoprotein between hHCY and nhHCY. NIHSS, mRS were significantly higher and BI was significantly lower in hHCY than in nhHCY. The 18-month recurrence rate in hHCY (21.0%) was significantly higher than that in nhHCY (6.8%). Spearman correlation analysis revealed correlation between HCY and mRS (p=0.000). By ordinal logistic regression, HCY was an independent predictor of 18-month mRS (odds ratio 1.08, 95% confidence interval 1.04-1.13, p=0.000).

CONCLUSIONS

Acute phase elevated HCY correlated with severity and prognosis in patients with atherothrombotic stroke.

Association between plasma homocysteine levels and obstructive sleep apnoea in patients with ischaemic stroke

We aimed to investigate the association between plasma homocysteine and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) syndrome in patients with ischaemic stroke. A total of 102 patients with ischaemic stroke were classified into four OSA groups based on their apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI): absent (AHI < 5/hour); mild (5-14/hour); moderate (15-30/hour); and severe (> 30/hour). The mean (± standard deviation) homocysteine levels in the four OSA groups were: absent, 8.98 ± 3.74 μmol/L; mild, 11.46 ± 3.31 μmol/L; moderate, 14.18 ± 4.36 μmol/L; and severe, 18.57 ± 4.56 μmol/L; and these differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001). The Pearson correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between homocysteine levels and the severity of AHI (r = 0.482, p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that AHI and folate were independent predictors of homocysteine levels (R(2) = 0.539, p < 0.001, β for AHI = 0.259, β for folate = -0.400). In conclusion, the severity of OSA is significantly associated with elevated homocysteine levels in patients with ischaemic stroke, and this association is independent of other factors that cause elevation in homocysteine.