Evaluation of Serum C Reactive Protein as A Prognostic Marker in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed to analyze risk factors and demographic characteristics to determine the association between C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and the outcomes of patients with acute ischemic stroke. The study was conducted at Tikrit Teaching Hospital between November 2023 and January 2024 and involved 51 stroke patients. CRP levels were measured upon admission, and stroke severity was assessed using the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Data on demographics, medical history, and lifestyle factors were collected using a structured questionnaire, and statistical analyses were performed with chi-square tests (p<0.05). The average patient age was 46 ± 15 years, with a nearly even gender distribution (54.9% male). Smoking, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were prevalent at 62.7%, 54.9%, and 64.7%, respectively. CRP levels varied widely, with 43.1% of patients showing levels above 10 mg. A notable difference in CRP levels was found between genders (p<0.01), with females showing a higher likelihood of elevated levels. CRP was also significantly linked to smoking and diabetes (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively), but no significant associations were identified with stroke severity, hypertension, cerebrovascular accidents, or coronary artery disease. These findings suggest that while CRP is associated with certain demographic and risk factors in ischemic stroke patients, its role in predicting stroke severity is limited. Further research is required to fully elucidate its prognostic value.