LEUCOCYTE COUNT AS ONE OF THE PREDICTORS OF PROGNOSIS FOR FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME AND HOSPITAL LENGTH OF STAY IN ACUTE ISCHEMIC STROKE

Elevated leukocyte count is a classic marker of systemic inflammation. Brain ischemia elicits an inflammatory response with a rapid accumulation of granulocytes and later of mononuclear leukocytes around the infarct zone. Therefore, it is possible that blood leukocyte count might serve as prognostic indicator of functional outcome and length of stay (LOS) in acute ischemic stroke. The aim of the study is to determine whether the leukocyte count can predict prognosis of functional outcome and length of stay in acute ischemic stroke. This study is a prospective study. Leukocyte count of 120 patients with acute ischemic stroke was obtained on admission to the hospital. Prognosis of functional outcome was determined by using National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) after hospital discharge. Length of stay was measured from admission until hospital discharge. Correlation between leukocyte count and functional outcome (as measured by NIHSS) and LOS was analysed to establish predictor of prognosis in acute ischemic stroke. Patients with higher leukocyte count had poor functional neurological outcome based on National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Higher leukocyte count also increased length of stay (LOS). Leukocyte count showed moderate correlation with clinical outcome and strong correlation with length of stay of acute ischemic stroke (r = 0.665 and 0.706 respectively) and was statistically significant (p < 0.001 for both). The conclusion is that Leukocyte count on admission could serve as a predictor of functional neurological outcome and length of stay in patients with acute ischemic stroke.