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Correlation between hematocrit and platelet levels with stroke severity and Hounsfield units in ischemic stroke patients
Hidayah M.F.
Gazzetta Medica Italiana Archivio Per Le Scienze Mediche
Q4Abstract
BACKGROUND: Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, particularly in developing countries such as Indonesia. Hematocrit and platelet levels influence the risk of ischemic stroke, while CT scans, measured in Hounsfield units (HU), are critical for diagnosing cerebral infarction. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) serves as the gold standard for assessing the severity of neurological deficits and tracking the clinical evolution of ischemic stroke patients.METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2023 to January 2024. The research variables included hematocrit, platelet levels, NIHSS scores, and HU measurements. Data were analyzed and presented in frequency distribution tables, followed by discussion.RESULTS: The study included 25 ischemic stroke patients, with an average age of 59 years. Of the participants, 16 (64%) were female and nine (36%) were male. No statistically significant correlations were observed between hematocrit levels and initial or final NIHSS scores or HU measurements. Hematocrit exhibited a weak negative correlation with the initial NIHSS score (r=-0.078; P=0.089) and HU values (r=-0.311; P=0.062), and a weak positive correlation with the final NIHSS score (r=0.148; P=0.242). Similarly, platelet levels showed no statistically significant correlations with initial or final NIHSS scores or HU measurements. Platelet levels demonstrated a weak positive correlation with the initial NIHSS score (r=0.052; P=0.132) and HU values (r=-0.120; P=0.356), and a weak negative correlation with the final NIHSS score (r=-0.018; P=0.079).CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study do not fully support the hypothesis linking hematocrit and platelet levels to stroke severity, as no significant correlations were found between these parameters, NIHSS scores, and HU measurements. These findings emphasize the need for further research to clarify the roles of hematocrit and platelet levels in stroke severity.