Inflammatory Markers and Their Association with Post Stroke Cognitive Decline

BACKGROUND: Population-based studies have demonstrated the association of inflammation and cognitive impairment. However, few studies to date have examined this association in ischemic stroke patients. AIMS: The study aims to determine the association between inflammatory markers and cognitive impairment. METHODS: Ischemic stroke patients with baseline neuropsychological assessments at three-months poststroke were followed up with annual neuropsychological assessments for up to five-years. Inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, interleukin 1β, interleukin 6, interleukin 8, interleukin 10, interleukin 12, and tumor necrosis factor-α) were assayed, and logistic regression analyses were performed to determine associations between inflammatory markers and both baseline cognitive status and subsequent cognitive decline. RESULTS: There were 243 ischemic stroke patients in the study. In multivariable ordinal logistic regression analysis, age, education, ethnicity, stroke subtype, and interleukin 8 (OR 1.23 CI 1.05-1.44) levels were independently associated with baseline cognitive status. In multivariable logistic regression analyses, age, gender, recurrent strokes, and interleukin 12 (OR 25.02 CI 3.73 to 168.03) were independent predictors of subsequent cognitive decline. CONCLUSIONS: Following ischemic stroke, higher serum interleukin 8 is independently associated with baseline cognitive impairment while higher serum interleukin 12 is associated with subsequent cognitive decline.