"To Study the Correlation Between Serum Cortisol and Severity of Acute Ischemic Stroke"

Abstract

Introduction: Cortisol, a glucocorticoid hormone, plays a vital role in the body’s stress response and has been implicated in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke. Elevated serum cortisol levels are associated with increased inflammation, hyperglycemia, and neuronal injury, potentially exacerbating stroke severity. This study aims to evaluate the correlation between serum cortisol levels and the severity of acute ischemic stroke.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between serum cortisol levels and stroke severity using the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and to explore cortisol’s potential as a prognostic marker.

Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study included 80 patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke. Stroke severity was assessed using the NIHSS, and serum cortisol levels were measured within 24 hours of admission. Demographic data, comorbidities, and laboratory parameters were also recorded. Statistical analysis included Pearson’s correlation and regression modeling to assess the relationship between cortisol levels and stroke severity.

Results: Serum cortisol levels increased significantly with stroke severity, with mean levels of 360.2 ± 50.5 nmol/L for mild, 478.3 ± 65.7 nmol/L for moderate, and 612.5 ± 80.3 nmol/L for severe strokes (p < 0.001). A strong positive correlation (r = 0.78) was observed between cortisol levels and NIHSS scores. Multivariate analysis confirmed serum cortisol as an independent predictor of stroke severity after adjusting for age, hypertension, and diabetes (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Elevated serum cortisol levels are strongly correlated with acute ischemic stroke severity and may serve as a reliable biomarker for risk stratification and prognosis. Integrating cortisol measurements into routine stroke assessments could improve clinical decision-making and patient management.