Infections up to 76 days after stroke increase disability and death

Annastazia E Learoyd, Lisa Woodhouse, Laurence Shaw, Nikola Sprigg, Daniel Bereczki, Eivind Berge, Valeria Caso, Hanne Christensen, Ronan Collins, Anna Czlonkowska, Anwar El Etribi, Tracy D Farr, John Gommans, Ann Charlotte Laska, George Ntaios, Serefnur Ozturk, Stuart J Pocock, Kameshwar Prasad, Joanna Wardlaw, Kevin FonePhilip M Bath, Rebecca C Trueman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

Early infection after stroke is associated with a poor outcome. We aimed to determine whether delayed infections (up to 76 days post-stroke) are associated with poor outcome at 90 days. Data came from the international Efficacy of Nitric Oxide Stroke (ENOS, ISRCTN99414122) trial. Post-hoc data on infections were obtained from serious adverse events between 1 and 76 days following stroke in this large cohort of patients. Regression models accounting for baseline covariates were used to analyse fatalities and functional outcomes (modified Rankin Scale (mRS), Barthel Index, Euro-Qol-5D) at 90 days, in patients with infection compared to those without infection. Of 4,011 patients, 242(6.0%) developed one or more serious infections. Infections were associated with an increased risk of death (p<0.001) and an increased likelihood of dependency (measured by mRS) compared to all other patients (p<0.001). This remained when only surviving patients were analysed, indicating that the worsening of functional outcome is not due to mortality (p<0.001). In addition, the timing of the infection after stroke did not alter its detrimental association with fatality (p=0.14) or functional outcome (p=0.47). In conclusion, severe post stroke infections, whether occurring early or late after stroke, are associated with an increased risk of death and poorer functional outcome, independent of differences in baseline characteristics or treatment. Not only are strategies are needed for reducing the risk of infection immediately after stroke, but also during the first three months following a stroke.
Original languageEnglish
JournalTranslational Stroke Research
Early online date27 Jul 2017
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 27 Jul 2017

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