Study of Serum-Ferritin Level in Stroke Patients and its Outcome in Patients Admitted in Tertiary Care Centre

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with inflammation playing a pivotal role in its pathogenesis. Serum ferritin, an acute-phase reactant and marker of iron metabolism, is linked to oxidative stress and inflammation, potentially influencing stroke outcomes. Studying its levels may provide insights into prognosis and therapeutic targets in stroke management. Aim and Objectives: To assess the level of serum ferritin in stroke patients admitted in tertiary care centre and to correlate the level of serum ferritin with the disease outcome in the patients. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted as a prospective Observational Study on Patients admitted in medicine ICU, tertiary care hospital, Bhopal, during the study period of 18 months i.e. from 1st September 2022 to 29th February 2024. The clinical severity of stroke was assessed using Canadian Stroke Scale at the time of admission and on the 6th day of admission, the severity of stroke was re-assessed clinically using CSS and serum ferritin levels were again measured in all the subjects. Results: Mean serum ferritin levels in patients with admitted with stroke at the time of admission was 276.30±155.52 ng/ml whereas that at day 6 was 301.95±228.86 ng/ml. 51 cases (31.9%) with stroke deteriorated over the hospital stay. Mean serum ferritin levels in deteriorated group was significantly higher as compared to non-deteriorated group (p<0.05). Serum ferritin at day 6 to be good predictor of adverse outcome i.e. deterioration as per CSS (AUC=0.897; 95% CI-0.842-0.951; p<0.05) and serum ferritin at admission was found to be fair predictor of adverse outcome (AUC=0.798; 95% CI- 0.723-0.873; p<0.05). Conclusions: Serum ferritin levels are prognostic marker of severity of stroke as well as outcome in patients with stroke. Elevated serum ferritin is strongly positively correlated with early neurological deterioration in stroke patients. Elevated serum ferritin, a marker of iron stores, thus not only help in predicting short term and long term prognosis but signals the need for more intensive patient care and management protocols.