Objective:

Quantify the NLR in ischemic stroke patients in the first 72 hours and investigate possible correlation between NLR values, risk factors and its severity, according to the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS).

Background:

Ischemia resulting from a stroke triggers an inflammatory response in the central nervous system. Research suggests that the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in peripheral blood can serve as a reliable marker of systemic inflammation.

Design/Methods:

It is a retrospective study based on medical records of patients aged over 18 years, who had ischemic stroke between 2017 and 2022; and controls without comorbidities. The clinical data includes information on the type of ischemic stroke (according to TOAST scale) and the presence of classic risk factors. NLR values is performed by analyzing blood count data from the patient´s medical records.

Results:

Were included 194 stroke patients; 80 % had NLR values exceeding 2, a value considered non-physiological by literature and represented by controls (n = 24). It was also observed that patients with a more severe condition, according to the NIHSS scale, had a higher NLR in the first 72 hours (p = 0,002). No statistically significant correlation was found between NLR, types of strokes and the presence of risk factors.

Conclusions:

Stroke patients exhibit a higher neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, which is associated with the severity of the condition; which may be a prognostic marker of this condition and, eventually, an aid in therapy.