Correlation of Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) with Severity in Patients of Acute Ischaemic Stroke

Stroke is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) accounting for nearly 82% of all cases. Inflammation plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of AIS, with markers such as Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) being potential prognostic indicators. This cross-sectional study included 72 patients with AIS to evaluate the association of ESR and CRP with stroke severity assessed by the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). The mean ESR was 29.39 ± 16.54 mm/hr, and mean CRP was 10.89 ± 13.85 mg/L, both above normal ranges. While higher levels were seen in non-survivors, the association with mortality was not statistically significant. However, both markers showed a strong correlation with stroke severity scores (p<0.001). These findings suggest that ESR and CRP may serve as useful prognostic biomarkers in AIS, aiding in risk stratification and patient management.