Evaluating Serum Calcium and Albumin as Prognostic Biomarkers in Acute Ischemic Stroke Outcomes: A Cross-Sectional Study at Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences

Background: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) remains a leading cause of morbidity andmortality worldwide. Rapid and accurate prognostic assessment can significantlyinfluence management and outcomes. Serum albumin and calcium are accessiblebiomarkers that could provide prognostic information on stroke severity andrecovery.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 120 patients admitted with AISat the Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences. Serum levels of albumin and calciumwere measured upon admission and correlated with the National Institutes of HealthStroke Scale (NIHSS) scores and Barthel Index for assessing neurological severity andfunctional outcomes.Results: Lower serum levels of albumin and calcium weresignificantly associated with higher NIHSS scores at admission (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05,respectively). Patients with severe strokes had mean albumin levels of 3.2 g/dL andmean calcium levels of 7.3 mg/dL. Moreover, recovery, as indicated by improvementsin NIHSS scores, showed a significant positive correlation with higher levels ofalbumin (correlation coefficient = 0.62, p < 0.001) and calcium (correlation coefficient= 0.59, p < 0.001).Conclusion: Serum albumin and calcium levels are significantprognostic biomarkers in AIS, correlating with the severity of stroke and recoveryoutcomes. Their routine assessment can aid in early prognosis and potentially guidetherapeutic decisions, particularly in resource-constrained environments