Association of red blood cell distribution width to albumin ratio with prognosis in stroke patients.

ABSTRACT

Aim: The authors investigated the association of red blood cell distribution width to albumin ratio (RAR) with prognosis and severity in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Methods: One hundred twenty-seven patients with AIS were prospectively analyzed. The NIH Stroke Scale was used to determine stroke severity. RAR was compared between severe and nonsevere patients. Results: RAR was significantly higher in severe compared with nonsevere patients (p < 0.001). According to receiver operating characteristic analysis, RAR alone predicted mortality better than red blood cell distribution width and albumin (area under the curve 0.933, 0.911, 0.870, respectively). Additionally, RAR was significantly correlated with NIH Stroke Scale score (p < 0.001). Conclusion: High RAR measured at presentation is a feasible index for prognosis and severity stratification in AIS.

[Box see text].