Serum inflammatory cytokines combined with NIHSS to evaluate the condition of patients with acute ischemic stroke

Abstract

Objective To explore the changes of serum inflammatory cytokines and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score in acute ischemic stroke patients and their clinical significances on patients' condition assessment. Methods The serum levels of three cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and high⁃sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), were measured and compared between 90 acute ischemic stroke patients (ischemic stroke group) and 50 healthy people (normal control group). The above-mentioned three cytokines and NIHSS scores were compared between before and after treatment in ischemic stroke group. Results Patients in ischemic stroke group were divided into three subgroups according to different infarct sizes: large (> 10 cm3), medium (5-10 cm3) and small (< 5 cm3). The serum levels of three cytokines were significantly higher in three subgroups than those in the normal control group before treatment (P < 0.01). Compared with before treatment, both the serum levels of three cytokines and the NIHSS scores in ishemic stroke patients reduced significantly after treatment (P < 0.01, for all). Conclusion Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines and NIHSS scores in patients with acute ischemic stroke can be used for condition assessment and efficacy monitoring.