CORRELATION OF PLATELET TO LYMPHOCYTE RATIO WITH NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH STROKE SCALE FOR SEVERITY PREDICTION IN ACUTE ISCHEMIC STROKE

Abstract

Background: Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide and was responsible for an estimated 6.5 million deaths and 113 million DALYs in 2013. In recent years, the platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) has emerged as a well-accepted biomarker for the assessment of overall inammatory status. The aim of the present study was to nd out the role of PLR (Platelet to lymphocyte ratio) in patients of acute ischemic stroke and correlating with NIHSS for predicting the severity. Settings and Design: It is a case control study carried out in 70 cases with acute ischemic stroke and 70 age and gender matched controls. Severity of stroke was determined among cases with the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at admission and at discharge. Laboratory investigations were done to calculate Platelet-lymphocyte ration at admission and discharge. Results: 68% of cases were males and 32% were females with a mean age of 59.03± 10.6 years. The platelet count was signicantly higher in cases as compared to controls whereas the value of total lymphocyte count was vice-versa. The majority of cases belonged to NIHSS score 5-15 which is classied as moderate stroke both at the time of admission and at discharge. There was positive correlation between PLR with National Institute of Health Stroke Scale Severity Score (r=0.68, p<0.001). The mean PLR increased with increasing NIHSS score. Conclusions: Platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is a simple, cost effective and easily obtainable tool in predicting the severity of stroke.