Association between Plasma Osmolality and Case Fatality within 1 Year after Severe Acute Ischemic Stroke

The prevalence of chronic dehydration and associated with cardiometabolic risks among agriculture and aquaculture workers

Background

Chronic dehydration is associated with complications and mortality in acute ischemic stroke patients. Prior literature indicates that farmers and fishery workers are commonly affected by cardiometabolic diseases and there is a need for early prevention of stroke. This study explores the prevalence of dehydration and the association of cardiometabolic risk profiles in agricultural and aquaculture workers.

Methods

We conducted a community-based, cross-sectional study of agriculture and aquaculture workers in Yunlin County of Taiwan between August 1 and December 31, 2021. Data on demographic characteristics and health-related lifestyles were collected through one-on-one interviews using a questionnaire. The threshold for dehydration is defined as serum osmolality ≥295 mOsm/kg, and physiological biomarkers were collected from a collaborating hospital. Multivariable logistic regression analyses adjusted for demographic characteristics were performed to investigate the association between dehydration levels, cardiometabolic risks, and health-related behaviors.

Results

A total of 962 Taiwanese agriculture and aquaculture workers who were predominantly women (65%) with a mean age of 64 years (SD = 13.8) were enrolled. The findings showed a high prevalence of dehydration (36%), metabolic syndrome (44.5%), abnormal waist circumference (64.4%), and abnormal blood pressure (68.5%). Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that dehydration was significantly associated with metabolic syndrome (p < 0.001), 10-year stroke risk prediction (p < 0.001), and an unhealthy lifestyle (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The prevalence of chronic dehydration was higher in Taiwanese agriculture and aquaculture workers, which was significantly associated with cardiometabolic risks and unhealthy lifestyles.

Association of Bun/Cr ratio-based dehydration status with infarct volumes and stroke severity in acute ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND

Only a few clinical research had previously investigated the dehydration status to predict the evolution of the ischemic core. The aim of this study is to clarify the association between blood urea nitrogen (BUN)/creatinine (Cr)ratio-based dehydration and infarct volume measured using DWI (Diffusion-weighted imaging) at admission in patients with AIS (Acute Ischemic Stroke).

METHODS

We retrospectively recruited a total of 203 consecutive patients who were hospitalized through emergency or outpatient services within 72 h of acute ischemic stroke onset between October 2015 and September 2019. Stroke severity was measured by assessing the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) on admission. Infarct volume was measured using DWI with MATLAB software.

RESULTS

In this study, 203 patients who met the study criteria were enrolled. Patients in the dehydration group (Bun/Cr ratio>15) had a higher median NIHSS score (6(IQR:4-10) VS. 5(3-7); P = 0.0015)and larger DWI infarct volume (1.55 ml (IQR:0.51-6.79) VS. (0.37 ml (0.05-1.22); P < 0.001) on admission compared with patients in normal group. Further, a statistically significant correlation was found between DWI infarct volumes and NIHSS score with nonparametric Spearman rank correlation (r = 0.77; P < 0.001). The median NIHSS scores for the DWI infarct volumes quartiles were 3 ml (IQR, 2-4), 5 ml (4-7), 6 ml (5-8), and12 ml (8-17) from lowest to highest. However, the second quartile group did not show any significant correlation with the third quartile group (P = 0.4268). Multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses were used to test dehydration (Bun/Cr ratio>15), representing a predictor of infarct volume and stroke severity.

CONCLUSION

Bun/Cr ratio-based dehydration is associated with larger volumes of ischemic tissue measured using DWI and worse neurological deficit assessed by the NIHSS score in acute ischemic stroke.