Abnormal admission kidney function predicts higher mortality in stroke patients.

Objective: To investigate the impact of abnormal kidney function on stroke outcome.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort of stroke patients admitted to King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between 2010 and 2014. Serum creatinine and urine protein were collected at admis-sion. We defined proteinuria as urine protein dipstick >/=+1. Estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) rate was calculated by Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study equation in mL/min/1.73m2. Abnormal kidney disease was defined as Creatinine>126 mg/dl or eGFR<60. Clinical characteristics and outcomes including one-year mortality and 30-day readmission were compared between patients with versus (vs.) without abnormal kidney function and/or proteinuria.

Results: Out of 548 patients, 507 had creatinine measurement at admission and 193 patients had ab-normal kidney function. These patients tended to be older (median age 67 years vs. 60.5 for those with normal kidney function), men (66.7% vs. 54.3%), and hypertensive (96% vs. 88%). Diabetes prevalence did not differ between the 2 groups. Proteinuria was not associ-ated with future mortality. Abnormal kidney function was a significant predictor of post-stroke one-year mortality (adjusted OR=2.5, 95% CI=1.4 to 4.6; p-value=0.003).

Conclusion: Abnormal kidney function doubled the risk of one-year mortality post stroke in our cohort. High-risk groups, including older hypertensive men, could be targeted for aggressive moni-toring and early treatment of risk factors.