Increased Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index Is Associated With Delayed Cerebral Ischemia in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Patients

Association of the C-reactive protein/albumin ratio with the prognosis of Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A systematic review

The C-Reactive Protein/Albumin Ratio (CAR) is being studied as a potential predictor of severe outcomes in various diseases. Our study aimed to review current evidence on the prognostic value of CAR in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). We conducted a systematic search in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar up to April 2023 and assessed the risk of bias using the NewCastle-Ottawa tool. A narrative synthesis was performed, and the GRADE system was used to evaluate the certainty of the evidence. Out of 534 articles, 4 were selected. We found that a higher CAR level is moderately associated with a lower score on the Glasgow Outcome Scale at 3 months and a higher incidence of in-hospital mortality. However, no significant association was found with the modified Rankin scale or delayed cerebral ischemia. Although the evidence is limited, CAR could be a useful tool for predicting poor prognosis in aSAH patients, but more prospective studies are needed to determine optimal cut-off points and include CAR in long-term prognostic models.

The association between systemic immune-inflammation index and the short-term functional outcome of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a meta-analysis

Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), calculated as platelet count × neutrophil count/lymphocyte count, is a novel biomarker reflecting immune and inflammatory responses. Its prognostic value in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) remains unclear. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between SII at admission and the short-term functional outcomes of patients with SAH. A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang databases identified cohort studies reporting the relationship between SII levels and functional outcomes in SAH. Poor functional outcomes were defined as modified Rankin Scale > 2 or Glasgow Outcome Scale < 4. Heterogeneity was assessed using I² statistic, and data synthesis was performed using a random-effects model by incorporating the influence of heterogeneity. RevMan 5.1 and Stata 17.0 were used for the analyses. Ten cohort studies involving 2,228 patients were included. Meta-analysis revealed that a high SII at admission significantly increased the risk of poor functional outcomes (OR: 3.08, 95% CI: 2.07-4.59, p < 0.001) with moderate heterogeneity (I² = 61%). Subgroup analysis showed a stronger association in studies with SII cutoffs ≥ 1400 compared to < 1400 (p for subgroup difference < 0.001). Meta-regression identified the cutoff value for SII as a significant modifier (p = 0.03) for the association between SII and poor functional outcome. Sensitivity analyses by excluding one dataset at a time showed similar results (p all < 0.05). In conclusion, elevated SII at admission is associated with an increased risk of poor short-term functional outcomes in SAH. These findings highlight SII as a potential prognostic biomarker for early risk stratification in SAH patients.

Prediction of Postoperative Recurrence of Chronic Subdural Hematoma Using Preoperative Systemic Immune Inflammation Index and Eosinophils

Objective  Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a common neurological problem with significant recurrence after surgery. Risk considerations can vary, ranging from patient-related factors to those related to the surgical procedure. This study explores the association between preoperative eosinophil count and systemic immune inflammation (SII) with CSDH recurrence. Materials and Methods  We conducted a prospective analysis of 105 patients with equal numbers of CSDHs who underwent surgery for CSDH between January 2023 and January 2024. The preoperative eosinophil counts, along with other differential leukocyte counts, were measured. The SII index was calculated using the standard formula (SII = neutrophil count  ×  platelet count/lymphocyte count). Multivariate and univariate regression analyses were performed to assess the association between risk factors and CSDH recurrence. Results  The preoperative eosinophil count showed a significant correlation with recurrence ( p  < 0.001). The SII index was significantly higher in patients with recurrent CSDH ( p  = 0.003). Neutrophils were found to be significantly associated with CSDH recurrence ( p  = 0.038). Age ( p  < 0.001) and SII ( p  = 0.005) were found to be independent predictors of CSDH recurrence, whereas hematoma volume ( p  < 0.001) and the antiplatelet regimen were a significant predictor of CSDH recurrence ( p  = 0.047). Variables like male gender, diabetes mellitus, anticoagulants, and hematoma volume were associated with eosinophil-rich or eosinophil-poor status. Conclusion  Preoperative eosinophil count, neutrophils, and the SII index may serve as potential predictors of CSDH recurrence. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to validate these findings.

Intersecting Pathways: The Role of Metabolic Dysregulation, Gastrointestinal Microbiome, and Inflammation in Acute Ischemic Stroke Pathogenesis and Outcomes

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) remains a major cause of mortality and long-term disability worldwide, driven by complex and multifaceted etiological factors. Metabolic dysregulation, gastrointestinal microbiome alterations, and systemic inflammation are emerging as significant contributors to AIS pathogenesis. This review addresses the critical need to understand how these factors interact to influence AIS risk and outcomes. We aim to elucidate the roles of dysregulated adipokines in obesity, the impact of gut microbiota disruptions, and the neuroinflammatory cascade initiated by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in AIS. Dysregulated adipokines in obesity exacerbate inflammatory responses, increasing AIS risk and severity. Disruptions in the gut microbiota and subsequent LPS-induced neuroinflammation further link systemic inflammation to AIS. Advances in neuroimaging and biomarker development have improved diagnostic precision. Here, we highlight the need for a multifaceted approach to AIS management, integrating metabolic, microbiota, and inflammatory insights. Potential therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways could significantly improve AIS prevention and treatment. Future research should focus on further elucidating these pathways and developing targeted interventions to mitigate the impacts of metabolic dysregulation, microbiome imbalances, and inflammation on AIS.

Sex-Related Differences in Mortality, Delayed Cerebral Ischemia, and Functional Outcomes in Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background/Objective: Sex-related differences among patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) and their potential clinical implications have been insufficiently investigated. To address this knowledge gap, we conduct a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: Sex-specific differences in patients with aSAH, including mortality, delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), and functional outcomes were assessed. The functional outcome was dichotomized into favorable or unfavorable based on the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), and Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOSE). Results: Overall, 2823 studies were identified in EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed, and by manual search on 14 February 2024. After an initial assessment, 74 studies were included in the meta-analysis. In the analysis of mortality, including 18,534 aSAH patients, no statistically significant differences could be detected (risk ratio (RR) 0.99; 95% CI, 0.90-1.09; p = 0.91). In contrast, the risk analysis for DCI, including 23,864 aSAH patients, showed an 11% relative risk reduction in DCI in males versus females (RR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.81-0.97; p = 0.01). The functional outcome analysis (favorable vs. unfavorable), including 7739 aSAH patients, showed a tendency towards better functional outcomes in men than women; however, this did not reach statistical significance (RR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.98-1.07; p = 0.34). Conclusions: In conclusion, the available data suggest that sex/gender may play a significant role in the risk of DCI in patients with aSAH, emphasizing the need for sex-specific management strategies.

Dynamic changes of systemic inflammation response index and systemic immune-inflammation index are associated with delayed cerebral ischemia after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

OBJECTIVES

Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) is a factor contributing to poor outcome of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Serial inflammatory response is known to affect the occurrence of DCI. The aim of this study was to evaluate associations of dynamic changes of various inflammatory markers with occurrence of DCI after aSAH.

METHODS

A total of 279 patients with interventional treatment for aSAH were enrolled, and dichotomized according to the occurrence of DCI. Various inflammatory markers, including systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), and their dynamic changes were analyzed at four different time points. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis with area under the curve (AUC) and univariate, multivariate Cox regression analyses with hazard ratio (HR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) were performed to identify predictors for DCI.

RESULTS

Differences of SII and SIRI values between DCI (+) and DCI (-) group were significantly higher at 5-7 days than at other time points (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). SII and SIRI had higher predicting values for DCI occurrence than other inflammatory markers (AUC: 0.862, 95 % CI: 0.786-0.928; P < 0.001 and AUC: 0.851, 95 % CI: 0.769-0.913; P < 0.001, respectively). SII at 5-7 days (HR: 1.74, 95 % CI: 1.38-3.22, P = 0.020) and SIRI at 5-7 days (HR: 1.62, 95 % CI: 1.28-2.84, P = 0.035) were associated with occurrence of DCI.

CONCLUSIONS

Dynamic changes of SII and SII might be predictors of DCI occurrence in patients with aSAH.

Correlation of Inflammatory Parameters with the Development of Cerebral Vasospasm, Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy, and Functional Outcome after Spontaneous Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Background: The present work aimed to determine whether a relationship exists between inflammatory parameters and the development of vasospasm (VS) and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC), as well as clinical outcome, in patients suffering from spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Methods: In this study, the authors processed the prospectively collected laboratory and clinical data of spontaneous SAH patients admitted to the neurointensive care unit between March 2015 and October 2023. The highest values of neutrophils (NEUpeak), monocytes (MONOpeak), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLRpeak), and CRP (CRPpeak) during the initial 7 days were correlated with the occurrence of VS and TTC, and with the outcome measures at day 30 after onset. Results: Data were collected from 175 SAH patients. Based on ROC analysis, for the development of VS, MONOpeak was the most accurate indicator (AUC: 0.619, optimal cut-off: 1.45 G/L). TTC with severe left ventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction < 40%) was indicated most sensitively by NEUpeak (ROC: 0.763, optimal cut-off: 12.34 G/L). Both for GOS and Barthel Index at day 30, CRPpeak was the best predictor for the outcome (GOS: ROC: 0.846, optimal cut-off: 78.33 mg/L and Barthel Index: ROC: 0.819, optimal cut-off: 78.33 mg/L). Conclusions: Laboratory parameters referring to inflammation during the initial 7 days after SAH correlate with the development of VS and TTC, and thus may predict functional outcome.

Monocyte Count and Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index Score as Predictors of Delayed Cerebral Ischemia after Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE

Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) is a major cause of disability in patients who survive aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Systemic inflammatory markers, such as peripheral leukocyte count and systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII) score, have been considered predictors of DCI in previous studies. This study aims to investigate which systemic biomarkers are significant predictors of DCI.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective, observational, single-center study of 170 patients with SAH admitted between May 2018 and March 2022. We analyzed the patients' clinical and laboratory parameters within 1 hour and 3-4 and 5-7 days after admission. The DCI and non-DCI groups were compared. Variables showing statistical significance in the univariate logistic analysis (p<0.05) were entered into a multivariate regression model.

RESULTS

Hunt-Hess grade "4-5" at admission, modified Fisher scale grade "3-4" at admission, hydrocephalus, intraventricular hemorrhage, and infection showed statistical significance (p<0.05) on a univariate logistic regression. Lymphocyte and monocyte count at admission, SII scores and C-reactive protein levels on days 3-4, and leukocyte and neutrophil counts on days 5-7 exhibited statistical significance on the univariate logistic regression. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that monocyte count at admission (odds ratio [OR], 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-2.65; p=0.036) and SII score at days 3-4 (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.02-2.47; p=0.049) were independent predictors of DCI.

CONCLUSION

Monocyte count at admission and SII score 3-4 days after rupture are independent predictors of clinical deterioration caused by DCI after aSAH. Peripheral monocytosis may be the primer for the innate immune reaction, and the SII score at days 3-4 can promptly represent the propagated systemic immune reaction toward DCI.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio associated with symptomatic saccular unruptured intracranial aneurysm

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Whether symptomatic unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) lead to change in circulating inflammation remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate the role of hematological inflammatory indicators in predicting symptomatic UIA.

METHODS

Adult patients diagnosed with saccular intracranial aneurysm from March 2019 to September 2023 were recruited retrospectively. Clinical and laboratory data, including the white blood cells (WBC), neutral counts (NEUT), lymphocyte counts (LYM), and monocyte counts (MONO) of each patient, were collected. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) were calculated as NLR = NEUT/LYM, LMR = LYM/MONO, SII = PLT*NEUT/LYM. The hematological inflammatory indicators were compared in symptomatic saccular and asymptomatic UIA patients. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the factors predicting symptomatic UIA.

RESULTS

One hundred and fifty UIA patients with a mean age of 58.5 ± 12.4 were included, of which 68% were females. The NLR and LMR were significantly associated with symptomatic UIA, and the association remained in small UIAs (< 7 mm). The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that NLR was independently associated with symptomatic UIA. On ROC curve analysis, the optimal cutoff value of NLR to differentiate symptomatic from asymptomatic was 2.38. In addition, LMR was significantly associated with symptomatic UIA smaller than 7 mm.

CONCLUSION

There was a significant correlation between NLR and symptomatic UIA. The NLR was independently associated with symptomatic UIA.

Predictive nomogram models for unfavorable prognosis after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: Analysis from a prospective, observational cohort in China

AIM

The aim of the study was to identify predictors for 3-month poor functional outcome or death after aSAH and develop precise and easy-to-use nomogram models.

METHODS

The study was performed at the department of neurology emergency in Beijing Tiantan Hospital. A total of 310 aSAH patients were enrolled between October 2020 and September 2021 as a derivation cohort, while a total of 208 patients were admitted from October 2021 to March 2022 as an external validation cohort. Clinical outcomes included poor functional outcome defined as modified Rankin Scale score (mRS) of 4-6 or all-cause death at 3 months. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analysis, as well as multivariable regression analysis, were applied to select independent variables associated with poor functional outcome or death and then to construct two nomogram models. Model performance were evaluated through discrimination, calibration, and clinical usefulness in both derivation cohort and external validation cohort.

RESULTS

The nomogram model to predict poor functional outcome included seven predictors: age, heart rate, Hunt-Hess grade on admission, lymphocyte, C-reactive protein (CRP), platelet, and direct bilirubin levels. It demonstrated high discrimination ability (AUC, 0.845; 95% CI: 0.787-0.903), satisfactory calibration curve, and good clinical usefulness. Similarly, the nomogram model combining age, neutrophil, lymphocyte, CRP, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, and treatment methods to predict all-cause death also revealed excellent discrimination ability (AUC, 0.944; 95% CI: 0.910-0.979), satisfactory calibration curve, and clinical effectiveness. Internal validation showed the bias-corrected C-index for poor functional outcome and death was 0.827 and 0.927, respectively. When applied to the external validation dataset, both two nomogram models exhibited high discrimination capacity [poor functional outcome: AUC = 0.795 (0.716-0.873); death: AUC = 0.811 (0.707-0.915)], good calibration ability, and clinical usefulness.

CONCLUSIONS

Nomogram models constructed for predicting 3-month poor functional outcome or death after aSAH are precise and easily applicable, which can help physicians to identify patients at risk, guide decision-making, and provide new directions for future studies to explore the novel treatment targets.

Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio and Serum Biomarkers : A Potential Tool for Prediction of Clinically Relevant Cerebral Vasospasm after Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a condition characterized by bleeding in the subarachnoid space, often resulting from the rupture of a cerebral aneurysm. Delayed cerebral ischemia caused by vasospasm is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in SAH patients, and inflammatory markers such as systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), systemic inflammatory index (SII), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and derived NLR (dNLR) have shown potential in predicting clinical vasospasm and outcomes in SAH patients. This article aims to investigate the relationship between inflammatory markers and cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmatic SAH (aSAH) and evaluate the predictive value of various indices, including SIRI, SII, NLR, and dNLR, in predicting clinical vasospasm.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on a cohort of 96 patients who met the inclusion criteria out of a total of 139 patients admitted Trakya University Hospital with a confirmed diagnosis of aSAH between January 2013 and December 2021. Diagnostic procedures, neurological examinations, and laboratory tests were performed to assess the patients' condition. The Student's t-test compared age variables, while the chi-square test compared categorical variables between the non-vasospasm (NVS) and vasospasm (VS) groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were used to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of laboratory parameters, calculating the area under the ROC curve, cut-off values, sensitivity, and specificity. A significance level of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

The study included 96 patients divided into two groups : NVS and VS. Various laboratory parameters, such as NLR, SII, and dNLR, were measured daily for 15 days, and statistically significant differences were found in NLR on 7 days, with specific cut-off values identified for each day. SII showed a significant difference on day 9, while dNLR had significant differences on days 2, 4, and 9. Graphs depicting the values of these markers for each day are provided.

CONCLUSION

Neuroinflammatory biomarkers, when used alongside radiology and scoring scales, can aid in predicting prognosis, determining severity and treatment decisions for aSAH, and further studies with larger patient groups are needed to gain more insights.

Effect of Clemastine on Neurophysiological Outcomes in an Ovine Model of Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

Originally approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its antihistamine properties, clemastine can also promote white matter integrity and has shown promise in the treatment of demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Here, we conducted an in-depth analysis of the feasibility, safety, and neuroprotective efficacy of clemastine administration in near-term lambs (n = 25, 141-143 days) following a global ischemic insult induced via an umbilical cord occlusion (UCO) model. Lambs were randomly assigned to receive clemastine or placebo postnatally, and outcomes were assessed over a six-day period. Clemastine administration was well tolerated. While treated lambs demonstrated improvements in inflammatory scores, their neurodevelopmental outcomes were unchanged.

Association between a four-parameter inflammatory index and all-cause mortality in critical ill patients with non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage: a retrospective analysis of the MIMIC-IV database (2012-2019)

Background

Non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), primarily due to the rupture of intracranial aneurysms, contributes significantly to the global stroke population. A novel biomarker, pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV) or called the aggregate index of systemic inflammation (AISI), linked to progression-free survival and overall survival in non-small-cell lung cancer and mortality in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, has surfaced recently. Its role in non-traumatic SAH patients, however, remains under-researched. This study aims to determine the relationship between PIV and all-cause mortality in non-traumatic SAH patients.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted using data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC-IV) database to examine the association between PIV and all-cause mortality in critically ill patients with non-traumatic SAH. PIV measurements were collected at Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission, and several mortality measures were examined. To control for potential confounding effects, a 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) method was applied. The optimal PIV cutoff value was identified as 1362.45 using X-tile software that is often used to calculate the optimal cut-off values in survival analysis and continuous data of medical or epidemiological research. The relationship between PIV and short- and long-term all-cause mortality was analyzed using a multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression model and Kaplan-Meier (K-M) survival curve analysis. Interaction and subgroup analyses were also carried out.

Results

The study included 774 non-traumatic SAH patients. After PSM, 241 pairs of score-matched patients were generated. The Cox proportional hazard model, adjusted for potential confounders, found a high PIV (≥ 1362.45) independently associated with 90-day all-cause mortality both pre- (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.67; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.05-2.65; P = 0.030) and post-PSM (HR: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.14-2.67; P = 0.042). K-M survival curves revealed lower 90-day survival rates in patients with PIV ≥ 1362.45 before (31.1% vs. 16.1%%, P < 0.001) and after PSM (68.9% vs. 80.9%, P < 0.001). Similarly, elevated PIV were associated with increased risk of ICU (pre-PSM: HR: 2.10; 95% CI: 1.12-3.95; P = 0.02; post-PSM: HR: 2.33; 95% CI: 1.11-4.91; P = 0.016), in-hospital (pre-PSM: HR: 1.91; 95% CI: 1.12-3.26; P = 0.018; post-PSM: 2.06; 95% CI: 1.10-3.84; P = 0.034), 30-day (pre-PSM: HR: 1.69; 95% CI: 1.01-2.82; P = 0.045; post-PSM: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.11-2.97; P = 0.047), and 1-year (pre-PSM: HR: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.04-2.40; P = 0.032; post-PSM: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.10-2.53; P = 0.044) all-cause mortality. The K-M survival curves confirmed lower survival rates in patients with higher PIV both pre- and post PSM for ICU (pre-PSM: 18.3% vs. 8.4%, P < 0.001; post-PSM:81.7 vs. 91.3%, P < 0.001), in-hospital (pre-PSM: 25.3% vs. 12.8%, P < 0.001; post-PSM: 75.1 vs. 88.0%, P < 0.001), 30-day (pre-PSM: 24.9% vs. 11.4%, P < 0.001; post-PSM:74.7 vs. 86.3%, P < 0.001), and 1-year (pre-PSM: 36.9% vs. 20.8%, P < 0.001; P = 0.02; post-PSM: 63.1 vs. 75.1%, P < 0.001) all-cause mortality. Stratified analyses indicated that the relationship between PIV and all-cause mortality varied across different subgroups.

Conclusion

In critically ill patients suffering from non-traumatic SAH, an elevated PIV upon admission correlated with a rise in all-cause mortality at various stages, including ICU, in-hospital, the 30-day, 90-day, and 1-year mortality, solidifying its position as an independent mortality risk determinant. This study represents an attempt to bridge the current knowledge gap and to provide a more nuanced understanding of the role of inflammation-based biomarkers in non-traumatic SAH. Nevertheless, to endorse the predictive value of PIV for prognosticating outcomes in non-traumatic SAH patients, additional prospective case-control studies are deemed necessary.

Association between neutrophil-to-albumin ratio and long-term mortality of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE

The prognosis of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) survivors is concerning. The goal of this study was to investigate and demonstrate the relationship between the neutrophil-to-albumin ratio (NAR) and long-term mortality of aSAH survivors.

METHODS

A retrospective observational cohort study was conducted at Sichuan University West China Hospital between January 2009 and June 2019. The investigation of relationship between NAR and long-term mortality was conducted using univariable and multivariable Cox regression models. To demonstrate the predictive performance of different biomarkers over time, time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis and decision curve analysis (DCA) were created.

RESULTS

In total, 3173 aSAH patients were included in this study. There was a strong and continuous relationship between NAR levels and long-term mortality (HR 3.23 95% CI 2.75-3.79, p < 0.001). After adjustment, the result was still significant (adjusted HR 1.78 95% CI 1.49-2.12). Compared with patients with the lowest quartile (< 0.15) of NAR levels, the risk of long-term mortality in the other groups was higher (0.15-0.20: adjusted HR 1.30 95% CI 0.97-1.73; 0.20-0.28: adjusted HR 1.37 95% CI 1.03-1.82; >0.28: adjusted HR 1.74 95% CI 1.30-2.32). Results in survivors were found to be still robust. Moreover, out of all the inflammatory markers studied, NAR demonstrated the highest correlation with long-term mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

A high level of NAR was associated with increased long-term mortality among patients with aSAH. NAR was a promising inflammatory marker for long-term mortality of aSAH.

Relationship between catheter related cerebrospinal fluid infections and systemic immune-inflammation index

Background

This study investigated the relationship between the systemic immune inflammation index (SII) and catheter-related infections and their effects on prognosis in pediatric patients.

Methods

A total of 56 pediatric patients diagnosed with ventriculoperitoneal (V-P) shunt infection between January 2017 and October 2019 were included. V-P shunt infection diagnosis was made based on clinical findings. All cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were subjected to direct microscopic examination and culture. Protein, glucose, and sodium levels in CSF, CSF leukocytes, and hematological and biochemical parameters were measured.

Results

Fifty-six patients with growth in CSF culture were included in this study. 55.4% of the cases were female and 44.6% male. V-P shunt was detected in 82.1% of the cases and external ventricular drainage (EVD) catheter-related infection in 17.9%. The CSF/blood glucose ratio was significantly lower (p = 0.046), and SII was significantly increased (p = 0.002) in non-coagulase-negative staphylococci.

Conclusions

Early and appropriate antibiotic therapy reduces morbidity and mortality in catheter-related infections. However, it is important to start empirical antibiotherapy until culture results are expected. Therefore, further research on the estimation of possible factors is needed.

Inflammatory Burden Index: Association Between Novel Systemic Inflammatory Biomarkers and Prognosis as Well as in-Hospital Complications of Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Purpose

Systemic inflammation plays an important role in the pathophysiology and progression of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between a new biomarker, the inflammatory burden index (IBI) and the prognosis as well as in-hospital complications of aSAH patients.

Patients and Methods

We analyzed data from patients with aSAH between January 2019 and September 2022 who were included in the LongTEAM (Long-term Prognosis of Emergency Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage) registry study. The IBI was formulated as C-reactive protein × neutrophils/lymphocytes. The unfavorable functional prognosis was assessed by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was conducted to determine the optimal cut-off values for IBI to distinguish the unfavorable functional prognosis. Multivariate logistic regression was applied to investigate the association between IBI and in-hospital complications. Propensity score matching was adjusted for imbalances in baseline characteristics to assess the effect of IBI on prognosis.

Results

A total of 408 consecutive patients with aSAH enrolled in the study, of which 235 (57.6%) were female patients and the mean age was 55.28 years old. An IBI equal to 138.03 was identified as the best cut-off threshold to distinguish the unfavorable prognosis at 3 months (area under the curve [AUC] [95% CI] 0.637 [0.568-0.706]). ln IBI was independently associated with 3-month functional prognosis (OR [95% CI] 1.362 [1.148-1.615]; P<0.001), pneumonia (OR [95% CI] 1.427 [1.227-1.659]; P<0.001) and deep venous thrombosis (DVT). (OR [95% CI] 1.326 [1.124-1.564]; P=0.001). After propensity score matching (57:57), an increased proportion of patients with IBI ≥138.03 had a poor functional prognosis at 3 months and in-hospital complications including developed pneumonia and DVT.

Conclusion

In patients with aSAH, high IBI level at admission was associated with unfavorable functional prognosis as well as pneumonia and deep vein thrombosis.

The prognostic value of systemic immune-inflammation index in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a systematic review

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a devastating and life-threatening stroke subtype, that has a high disability and fatality rate. By the use of the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), it is possible to understand the pathophysiology that underlies immune and inflammatory responses and anticipate consequences including delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), delayed cerebral vasospasm, and functional outcome. A systematic search of the English-language literature in PubMed and Embase was performed to locate articles addressing the usage of SII in aSAH patients. The cutoff value, sensitivity, specificity, and area-under-the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were collected. Four publications were reviewed after applying the exclusion criteria from the 53 included articles. All the studies indicated that higher SII on admission was significantly associated with poor prognosis. The research examined in this paper provides the earliest indications that higher SII predicts DCI, delayed cerebral vasospasm, and functional outcome, even though other medical subspecialties have used this ratio for a long time to make such predictions.

Association between higher systemic immune inflammation index (SII) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) after endovascular treatment

Inflammation contributes to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) formation in patients with aSAH after endovascular treatment. The relationship between systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII) as an inflammatory marker and DVT formation remains unclear. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the association between SII and aSAH-associated DVT following endovascular treatment. We enrolled 562 consecutive patients with aSAH after endovascular treatment at three centers from January 2019 to September 2021. The endovascular treatments included simple coil embolization and stent-assisted coil embolization. Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) was assessed by Color Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to establish the model. We assessed the association of the SII, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and DVT by using restricted cubic spline (RCS). ASAH-associated DVT was found in 136 (24.20%) patients. Based on the multiple logistic regression analysis, the correlation was found between aSAH-associated DVT and elevated SII (fourth quartile) (adjusted odds ratio = 8.20 [95% confidence interval, 3.76-17.92]; p < 0.001 [p for trend < 0.001]), elevated NLR (fourth quartile) (adjusted odds ratio = 6.94 [95% confidence interval, 3.24-14.89]; p < 0.001 [p for trend < 0.001]), elevated SIRI (fourth quartile) (adjusted odds ratio = 4.82 [95% confidence interval, 2.36-9.84]; p < 0.001 [p for trend < 0.001]), and elevated PLR (fourth quartile) (adjusted odds ratio = 5.49 [95% confidence interval, 2.61-11.57]; p < 0.001 [p for trend < 0.001]). The increased SII was correlated with the formation of aSAH-associated DVT after endovascular treatment.

Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index Predicts Acute Symptomatic Hydrocephalus After Spontaneous Nonaneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE

The authors sought to investigate the association between white blood cell counts and acute hydrocephalus in spontaneous nonaneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (nSAH).

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 105 consecutive patients with spontaneous nSAH. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate factors associated with hydrocephalus. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis determined the optimal cutoff to differentiate between patients with and without hydrocephalus. The admission characteristics of hydrocephalic patients with aneurysmal and nSAH were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 70 patients met inclusion criteria, of which 21 (30%) presented with hydrocephalus. In univariate logistic regression, leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio, neutrophil-monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio, and the systemic immune-inflammation (SII) index ([neutrophils × platelets/lymphocytes]/1000) were associated with hydrocephalus. After adjustments, the SII index independently predicted acute hydrocephalus with the highest odds among laboratory values (odds ratio 2.184, P = 0.006). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed the SII index differentiated between patients with and without hydrocephalus (area under the curve = 0.799, 95% CI: 0.688-0.909, P < 0.001) with an optimal cutoff of 1.385 103/μL. SII indices did not differ between aneurysmal and nSAH patients with hydrocephalus (3.5 vs. 3.6 103/μL, P = 0.795).

CONCLUSIONS

A SII index ≥1.385 103/μL on admission predicts acute hydrocephalus in spontaneous nSAH. Hydrocephalic patients with aneurysmal and nSAH exhibit similar SII indices, and thus, an exaggerated inflammatory and thrombotic response follows spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage irrespective of hemorrhage etiology.

Increased Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index Predicts Disease Severity and Functional Outcome in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients

BACKGROUND

Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and system inflammation response index (SIRI) have been recently investigated as novel inflammatory and prognostic markers. Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between SII and SIRI index and severity of stroke, and to analyze the prognostic value in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients.

METHODS

The SII is defined as platelet×(neutrophil count/lymphocyte count), SIRI is defined as neutrophil count×(monocyte count/lymphocyte count). We plotted receiver operating characteristic curves of SII and SIRI for poor outcomes and calculated area under the curve (AUC) values and cutoff values. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the association between SII/SIRI index and poor functional outcome.

RESULTS

We included 234 AIS patients [mean age 69 (57-78) years; 50.4% male]. Both SII and SIRI were higher in the moderate-to-severe stroke group than in the mild stroke group [932.73 (569.84-1610.90) vs. 581.21 (386.98-1015.59), P <0.001 and 2.00 (1.24-3.13) vs. 1.35 (0.83-1.92), P <0.001]. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (area under the curve) value of SII (0.678, 0.608-0.748, P <0.001) tested a similar discriminatory ability compared with SIRI (0.682, 95% CI (0.612-0.751), P <0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that SII was significantly associated with poor prognosis at discharge of AIS patients [adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 2.350 (1.149-4.803), P =0.019)], conversely, SIRI had no prognostic value.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher SII and SIRI indexes were correlated with greater risk of stroke severity, meanwhile SII could be useful for predicting adverse clinical outcomes after AIS.

Association of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio with outcomes in stroke patients achieving successful recanalization by endovascular thrombectomy

Objective

Serum inflammatory biomarkers play crucial roles in the development of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). In this study, we explored the association between inflammatory biomarkers including platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and clinical outcomes in AIS patients who achieved successful recanalization.

Methods

Patients with AIS who underwent endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) and achieved a modified thrombolysis in the cerebral infarction scale of 2b or 3 were screened from a prospective cohort at our institution between January 2013 and June 2021. Data on blood parameters and other baseline characteristics were collected. The functional outcome was an unfavorable outcome defined by a modified Rankin Scale of 3-6 at the 3-month follow up. Other clinical outcomes included symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) and 3-month mortality. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of PLR, NLR, and MLR on clinical outcomes.

Results

A total of 796 patients were enrolled, of which 89 (11.2%) developed sICH, 465 (58.4%) had unfavorable outcomes at 3 months, and 168 (12.1%) died at the 3-month follow up. After adjusting for confounding variables, a higher NLR (OR, 1.076; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.037-1.117; p < 0.001) and PLR (OR, 1.001; 95%CI, 1.000-1.003; p = 0.045) were significantly associated with unfavorable outcomes, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of NLR and PLR was 0.622 and 0.564, respectively. However, NLR, PLR, and MLR were not independently associated with sICH and 3-month mortality (all adjusted p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Overall, our results indicate that higher PLR and NLR were independently associated with unfavorable functional outcomes in AIS patients with successful recanalization after EVT; however, the underlying mechanisms are yet to be elucidated.

Association between Sarcopenia and Immediate Complications and Mortality in Patients with Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma Undergoing Surgery

Simple Summary

Surgery remains the mainstay treatment for oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Up to 40% of patients with OSCC experience postoperative complications, most within the first 30 days since surgery. The early detection of postoperative complications is challenging. Sarcopenia has been shown to be a negative predictor of the surgical and oncological outcomes of patients with OSCC. The effect of sarcopenia associated with immediate complications and impaired survival after surgery for OSCC is still unknown. This study comprehensively investigated the clinical risk factors and biomarkers associated with 30-day postoperative complications and 5- and 8-year survival of patients with OSCC. Sarcopenia was an independent risk factor associated with 30-day complications, increased reoperation rate, and reduced short- and long-term overall and disease-free survival. Sarcopenia should be assessed before surgery to identify high-risk patients who require a more intensive approach to minimize complications and may be clinically helpful in tailoring treatment strategies for patients with OSCC.

Abstract

Sarcopenia negatively affects oncologic outcomes. However, studies have yet to reveal whether it is associated with postoperative complications and survival among patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This study retrospectively enrolled 592 patients undergoing primary OSCC surgery with available computed tomography (CT) images of their third cervical vertebrae (C3) within 30 days before surgery between January 2011 and December 2020. Preoperative sarcopenia, nutritional and frailty status, tumor characteristics, comorbidities, and inflammatory markers were assessed. The outcome variables included 30-day complications based on the Buzby and Dindo classification, reoperation, 5- and 8-year overall survival, and disease-free survival. A total of 318 (53.7%) had sarcopenia; of these patients, 217 (68.2%) presented with postoperative complications, and 48 (15.1%) underwent reoperations. Sarcopenia and higher systemic immune-inflammatory index were independently associated with local to systemic 30-day complications. Sarcopenia, advanced-stage disease, and extracapsular spread were correlated with 5- and 8-year survival. The presence of sarcopenia is associated with the 30-day complications and short- and long-term survival of patients who had OSCC and underwent surgery.