Evaluation of Risk Factors For Fever Onset as an Early Complication in Patients Who Suffered Acute Ischemic Stroke

Objectives: The aim of our study was to evaluate distribution and influence of selective risk factors for a fever onset as an early complication in patients who suffered the acute ischemic stroke. Methods: The study included 106 patients who suffered acute ischemic stroke. Patients were divided into two groups: group with fever and group without fever. Further parameters were evaluated: age, gender, presence of hypertension, presence of previous stroke, systolic and diastolic blood pressures at admission, glycemia levels, hematocrit levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, cholesterol and triglycerides levels, distribution of different stroke types according to Bamford classification, and degree of functional disability according to NIH stroke scale-NINDS. Results: There is statistically significant difference in distribution of patients with previous stroke event (p=0.043) and different stroke types according to Bamford clinical classification (p=0.000) between evaluated groups regarding fever presence. Patients with fever had significantly increased levels of glycemia (p=0.010), score on NIH stroke scale-NINDS (p=0.000) and significantly decreased hematocrit (p=0.028). Significant risk factors for the fever onset in patients who suffered acute stroke are: previous stroke (p=0.048); increased glycemia levels (p=0.041); decreased hematocrit levels (p=0.035); clinical classification of stroke according to Bamford scale (p=0.004) and degree of functional lesion on NIH stroke scale-NINDS (p=0.000). Conclusion: Risk factors for a fever onset as an early complication in post acute ischemic stroke are: previous strokes, increased glycemic levels, decreased hematocrit levels, the size of ischemic zone of affected brain tissue and higher degree of functional lesion according to NIH-stroke scale-NINDS.