Plasma adiponectin levels and five-year survival after first-ever ischemic stroke

Abstract

Background and purpose: This study aimed to investigate the association between plasma adiponectin levels and 5-year survival after first-ever ischemic stroke.

Methods: Plasma adiponectin measured within 24 hours after first-ever ischemic stroke was related to 5-year outcome. The Kaplan-Meier technique was applied in survival analysis, and the Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the relationship between risk factors and prognosis.

Results: The probabilities of death were 92.8%, 52.5%, and 10.5% (P<0.001) for patients stratified according to tertiles of adiponectin (<4 microg/mL, 4 to 7 microg/mL, and >7 microg/mL, respectively). The relative risk of death was 8.1 (95% CI, 3.1, 24.5; P<0.001) for individuals with adiponectin levels in the lowest tertile compared with the upper tertile. Adiponectin <4 microg/mL (hazard ratio [HR], 5.2; 95% CI, 2.1, 18.4; P<0.001), score >15 in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (HR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.7, 15.9; P<0.001), and coronary heart disease (HR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.5, 12.3; P<0.001) were independently associated with mortality.

Conclusions: Low plasma adiponectin is related to an increased risk of 5-year mortality after first-ever ischemic stroke, independently of other adverse predictors.