Low hemoglobin is associated with poor functional outcome after non-traumatic, supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage

Abstract

IntroductionThe impact of anemia on functional outcome and mortality in patients suffering from non-traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) has not been investigated. Here, we assessed the relationship between hemoglobin (HB) levels and clinical outcome after ICH.MethodsOne hundred and ninety six patients suffering from supratentorial, non-traumatic ICH were extracted from our local stroke database (June 2004 to June 2006). Clinical and radiologic computed tomography data, HB levels on admission, mean HB values and nadir during hospital stay were recorded. Outcome was assessed at discharge and 3 months using the modified Rankin score (mRS).ResultsForty six (23.5%) patients achieved a favorable functional outcome (mRS ≤ 3) and 150 (76.5%) had poor outcome (mRS 4 - 6) at discharge. Patients with poor functional outcome had a lower mean HB (12.3 versus 13.7 g/dl, P < 0.001) and nadir HB (11.5 versus 13.0 g/dl, P < 0.001). Ten patients (5.1%) received red blood cell (RBC) transfusions. In a multivariate logistic regression model, the mean HB was an independent predictor for poor functional outcome at three months (odds ratio (OR) 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.58-0.92, P = 0.007), along with National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at admission (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.11 - 1.24, P < 0.001), and age (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.04 - 1.12, P < 0.001).ConclusionsWe report an association between low HB and poor outcome in patients with non-traumatic, supratentorial ICH. While a causal relationship could not be proven, previous experimental studies and studies in brain injured patients provide evidence for detrimental effects of anemia on brain metabolism. However, the potential risk of anemia must be balanced against the risk of harm from red blood cell infusion.

Impact of Hemoglobin Levels and Anemia on Mortality in Acute Stroke: Analysis of UK Regional Registry Data, Systematic Review, and Meta‐Analysis

“…After detailed screening, 20 studies were included in our systematic review; the flow chart of study selection is shown in Figure 4, and Tables 5 and 6 show the key features of the selected studies. Overall, 10 studies assessed the impact of anemia on stroke1, 2, 10, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 10 evaluated the association between stroke and hemoglobin levels 6, 7, 8, 9, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28. In terms of study design, 3 were retrospective cohort studies,1, 16, 20 13 were prospective cohort studies,2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 2 were secondary analyses of randomized control trials 27, 28.…”

“…There were also 2 studies that did not state the design 21, 26. There was a high degree of diversity in geographic location, with cohorts from Germany,8, 19, 25 Switzerland,16, 20 the United States,18, 24 the People's Republic of China,2, 22 Canada,23, 28 India,6 Israel,10 the Republic of Korea,9 Denmark,21 Taiwan,17 the United Kingdom,26 and Poland 7. In addition, 2 studies were conducted across multiple countries 1, 27.…”

“…In addition, 2 studies were conducted across multiple countries 1, 27. Regarding stroke type, 9 studies assessed patients with ischemic stroke,1, 2, 8, 9, 17, 20, 21, 27, 28 6 assessed patients with hemorrhagic stroke,9, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 5 evaluated both types of stroke 6, 7, 10, 16, 26. The number of participants in the studies ranged from 106 to 3020.…”

“…Imaging (computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or both) was used in 17 studies,1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 10, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28 1 study relied on clinical evaluation alone,26 and 2 did not state the method used 9, 16. The methods used to ascertain mortality also varied.…”

“…The methods used to ascertain mortality also varied. Attending doctors confirmed in‐hospital mortality in 2 studies,24, 25 whereas death registry data were used in 4 studies 10, 20, 21, 23. Telephone interviews were used by 7 studies, typically in conjunction with other methods such as outpatient visit, home visit, mailed questionnaire, analysis of death registries, or review of medical records 6, 8, 9, 16, 18, 19, 22.…”