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This study investigates how inflammatory markers correlate with neurological dysfunction severity and prognosis in acute ischemic stroke patients.

June 21, 2026Open Access

The relationship between inflammatory markers and the severity and prognosis of neurological dysfunction in stroke patients

Key Points

This study investigates how inflammatory markers correlate with neurological dysfunction severity and prognosis in acute ischemic stroke patients.
Recruited 225 acute ischemic stroke patients and 46 healthy individuals for clinical and hematological data collection.
Evaluated inflammatory markers and neurological function using NIHSS and mRS scores at multiple time points (admission, discharge, 1 month, 3 months).
Utilized correlation analysis, multivariate logistic regression, ROC curve, and AUC to determine relationships between markers and stroke outcomes.
Higher neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, systemic immune-inflammation index, systemic inflammatory response index, and pan immune-inflammation value observed in patients at admission (p < 0.05).
Positive correlations between inflammatory markers and neurological severity noted, particularly at admission and discharge.
NLR showed the best prognostic value at admission (AUC = 0.654) and PIV at discharge (AUC = 0.725).

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to explore the relationship of inflammatory indicators with the severity and prognosis of neurological dysfunction in stroke patients, and to evaluate the prognostic value of inflammatory indicators for patients suffering from acute ischemic stroke (AIS). METHODS: The study recruited 225 AIS patients and 46 healthy individuals, and collected their clinical data and hematological indicators. Calculate six inflammatory markers and evaluate the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores at admission, discharge, 1 months of onset and 3 months of onset. Correlation analysis, multivariate logistic regression analyses, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the curve (AUC) were used to analyze the relationship of inflammatory markers with the severity and prognosis of stroke. RESULTS: Elevated levels of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), and pan immune-inflammation value (PIV) were observed in patients at admission (p < 0.05). Most inflammatory markers are positively correlated with the severity of neurological deficits during the acute phase, especially upon admission and discharge. Higher admission lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR) levels are independently associated with larger infarct volume and adverse functional outcomes. In contrast, indicators like NLR, SIRI and PIV showed associations in the opposite direction (odds ratios < 1), suggesting complex interactions that require further investigation. For different time points, NLR showed the greatest prognostic value at admission (AUC = 0.654) and PIV at discharge (AUC = 0.725). CONCLUSIONS: These inflammatory markers exhibit characteristic dynamic changes after AIS and have close relationship with the severity and prognosis of neurological deficits. It may contribute to early risk stratification and personalized treatment soon after.

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