Elevated C-reactive protein and depressed high-density lipoprotein cholesterol are associated with poor function outcome after ischemic stroke

Aims: C-reactive protein is an established marker of inflammation that can impair the protective function of High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C). The combined effect of Creactive protein and HDL-C on long-term outcomes in patients with stroke remains uncertain. Methods: A total of 3124 acute ischemic stroke subjects from the China Antihypertensive Trial in Acute Ischemic Stroke (CATIS) were included in this analysis. Participants were divided into four groups according to CRP and HDL-C levels on admission. The primary outcome was a combination of death and major disability (modified Rankin Scale score ≥3) at one year after stroke. Results: Compared to participants with low CRP/ high HDL-C, adjusted odd ratios for primary outcome for those with low CRP /low HDL-C, high CRP /high HDL-C and high CRP /low HDL-C were 1.06(0.81-1.39),1.78(1.31-2.41) and 2.03(1.46-2.80), respectively, after multiple adjustments. Adding serum CRP and HDL-C status to a model containing conventional stroke risk factors significantly improve risk reclassification for the combined outcome of death and major disability (NRI: 6.85%, P=0.005; IDI: 2.57%, P=0.002). Moreover, no interaction was observed between CRP and HDL-C in relation to stroke outcomes (P-interaction >0.05 for all). Conclusions: High CRP with low HDL-C levels was associated with death and major disability within one year after ischemic stroke. The findings suggest that the ischemic patients with both high CRP and low HDL-C should be treated with reducing CRP and promoting HDL-C levels.