Study of serum uric acid level among stroke patients in a tertiary care hospital

 

 

Abstract              Background: Stroke is a major global public health problem. Higher risk of stroke incidence and mortality was reported in cases of hyperunicemia in some studies while contrary to this, other studies have advocated uric acid to be neuroprotective due to its anti-oxidant action. Considering these conflicting data, present study is designed to study the association between serum uric acid levels and stroke at a tertiary care hospital. Material and Methods: Present study was prospective, observational study, conducted in patients with ischemic stroke confirmed by CT scan of brain, presenting within 72 hours of onset of symptom. Statistical Analysis was done during SPSS Software for Windows Ver. 23. The data obtained was expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Correlation was computed by Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: In present study 82 patients with stroke were included. Most common age group was 61-70 years (35%). Male to female ratio was 1.7:1. 30% patients had hyperuricemia (serum uric acid >7 mg). Hyperuricemia was noted in 41% smokers, 65% alcoholics, 55% diabetics, 79% with history of cardiovascular disease, 64% with family history of stroke and 41% patients with hypertension. Mean serum uric acid (SUA) levels was 4.36 ± 2.04 mg/dl. A positive correlation. (Spearman’s Correlation coefficient, r = +0.6979) of serum uric acid (SUA) levels was noted with severity of stroke. Conclusion: Serum uric acid levels were significantly elevated in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Also serum uric acid levels were significantly higher among hypertensive and diabetic patients with stroke compared to their counterparts.

Key Words: acute ischemic stroke, uric acid, hyperuricemia, hypertension, smoking