predictive value of interleukin-6, ESR, C-R protein and somatosensory evoked potentials in acute ischemic stroke

The aim of this study was to correlate the plasma levels of interleukin-6 [IL-6], erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR] and C- reactive protein [CRP] and the somatosensory evoked potentials [SEPs] in acute ischemic stroke with stroke severity and functional outcome at 3 months. Plasma levels of IL-6, ESR and CRP and the SEPs were determined in 30 ischemic stroke patients during the first week of stroke onset and compared with 15 matched apparently healthy control subjects. The levels of inflammatory markers and the SEPs were correlated with the infarct volume, stroke severity using Canadian Stroke Scale [CSS], and functional outcome at 3 months using modified Rankin Score [mRS], Plasma levels of IL-6, ESR and CRP were significantly higher in stroke patients than healthy controls [p< 0.001], more higher in severe stroke, larger size infarctions and correlated significantly with the functional outcome at 3 months. Also, there was significant positive correlation of N20 and P25 latency and significant negative correlation of N20 amplitude with functional outcome at 3 months. The plasma levels of IL-6, ESR and CRP and the SEPs are good predictors to the functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke