Serum uric acid level in patients of acute stroke

Background:  Controversial results regarding the association of serum uric acid (SUA) with acute stroke and its mortality outcome are consistently reported. Hence, present study was done to estimate SUA as a risk factor and its prognostic significance in patients of acute stroke . Methods: Total 110 patients of acute cerebrovascular accidents admitted were studied and serum uric acid was measured within 48 hours of admission. Results:  The study comprised of 66 males and 44 females of whom 63 had hemorrhagic and 47 had ischemic stroke. Mean SUA of cases was 6.69±2.34mg/dl was significantly higher than age and sex matched controls. 50% of cases were found to be hyperuricemic. Mean SUA was greater in males, elderly (>60 years), diabetics, hypertensive, ischemic stroke patients, but their difference was not found to be statistically significant. However, mean SUA level in dyslipidemics (7.07±2.29) mg/dl was significantly higher. Prevalence of hyperuricemia was highest among patients with low HDL (58.33%).Mean SUA in expired cases was significantly higher than survived. Also among stroke subtypes, mean SUA was significantly higher in expired than survived ischemic stroke cases. Conclusions:  The study concludes that SUA level was significantly elevated in patients of acute stroke. Elevated SUA was associated with higher mortality, more in ischemic stroke patients. Hence, SUA can be considered as a risk factor and poor mortality outcome in patients of acute stroke.