Correlation between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and stroke severity in patients with acute ischemic stroke: a cross-sectional study at a tertiary referral hospital in Aceh, Indonesia
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Abstract
Ischemic stroke is a major cause of global morbidity, with inflammation playing a key role in its pathophysiology. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an accessible inflammatory marker, but its association with stroke severity remains unclear. This study evaluated the correlation between NLR and stroke severity in acute ischemic stroke (AIS).A cross-sectional study was conducted at Dr. Zainoel Abidin General Hospital, Banda Aceh, Indonesia, from January to March 2024. Medical records of 48 AIS patients meeting inclusion criteria were analyzed using purposive sampling. Patients with active infection or chronic inflammatory disease were excluded. NLR values were obtained from admission blood tests, and stroke severity was assessed using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Correlation was analyzed using Spearman’s rank correlation test. Most patients had low NLR values and moderate stroke severity. A moderate positive correlation was identified between NLR and NIHSS scores (r = 0.527; p < 0.001). In conclusion, NLR is significantly associated with stroke severity in AIS and may support early clinical risk stratification. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm its prognostic value.
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