Comparison of Stroke Cases with Other Neurological Diseases on the Basis of Hemogram Parameters

Abstract

Background This study aimed to examine the hemogram parameters, including the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), which is fast, easy and practical to determine, in stroke patients who present with more physiological stress and inflammation and compare them with patients presenting other neurological diseases. Methods The demographic, laboratory and imaging features of all patients who were admitted to the Neurology Service within a three-year period and met the study criteria were retrospectively analyzed. A hemogram from peripheral venous blood samples was taken at the time of admission, and the NLR was calculated. Results A total of 3,152 patients, 1,604 of whom were women (50.9%), with a mean age of 66.1 ± 14 (18-100) years who were hospitalized in the neurology clinic between January 1, 2015 and January 1, 2018, comprised the study’s sample. Mean age, mean leukocyte-neutrophil count and NLR were significantly higher in stroke patients than in those without stroke (p <0.001, p <0.001 and p <0.001, respectively), but mean red blood cell, platelet and lymphocyte counts, and hemoglobin and hematocrit values were found to be significantly lower (p <0.001, p <0.001, p <0.001, p <0.001 and p<0.001 respectively). When the hemogram parameters were compared according to stroke type, red blood cell, hemoglobin, hematocrit and NLR values in patients with hemorrhagic stroke (p = 0.019, p = 0.002, p = 0.002 and p = 0.001, respectively) and platelet and lymphocyte values in ischemic stroke patients were found to be significantly higher (p = 0.002 and p <0.001, respectively). Conclusion In this study, significant data obtained by comparing the hemogram parameters of those with stroke and other neurological diseases are presented. All neurological diseases, especially acute stroke and its types, should be examined in future prospective, randomized and controlled studies with all hemogram parameters, especially the NLR (low cost)