Comparative study on short-term and long-term prognostic determinants in patients with acute cerebral infarction.

Background: At present, there are many studies on prognostic determinants in patients with acute cerebral infarction, while studies on short-term and long-term prognostic determinants are less. The purpose of this study was to explore the short-term and long-term association and same and different points of prognostic determinants in patients with acute cerebral infarction for guiding clinical treatment.

Methods: 201 patients with acute cerebral infarction were included in the study, whose neurological functions were assessed via National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) within 24 h and computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging were performed within 48 h of symptom onset. All of the patients were administered with same medication regimen (including medication and rehabilitation). The NIHSS and the modified Rankin Scale were used to assess the extent of disability at 15 d after admission and one year, respectively. Short-term and long-term prognostic determinants and its association were analyzed by single and multivariable logistic regression.

Results: Infarct volume correlated with short-term prognosis (OR = 3.543, 95% CI: 1.632~10.212), while it showed no correlation with long-term prognosis; concurrent infection was independent risk factor for short-term prognosis of acute cerebral infarction (OR = 2.532, 95% CI: 1.803~6.886). Baseline NIHSS score independently correlated with short-term and long-term prognosis (odds ratio, respectively: OR = 1.880, 95% CI: 1.462~6.679; OR = 1.761, 95% CI: 1.372~6.758); gender (OR = 0.311, 95% CI: 0.140~0.681) and basal ganglia infarction (OR = 2.263, 95% CI: 1.349~11.662) were independently associated with long-term prognosis, while it showed no significant correlation with short-term prognosis. Short-term prognosis effect was an independent predictor for long-term prognosis (OR = 0.487, 95% CI: 0.141~0.895). Age, hospitalization time, short-term and long-term prognosis of patients showed no significant correlation.

Conclusion: There were differences between short-term and long-term prognosis of acute cerebral infarction. Short-term prognosis effect was an independent predictor for long-term prognosis. For controllable factors, active intervene should be taken in order to improve prognosis of patients.