Prevalence and Clinical Correlates of Microalbuminuria in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background: Acute ischemic stroke is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Microalbuminuria, a marker of endothelial dysfunction and systemic vascular injury, has been associated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, its prevalence and clinical correlates in patients with acute ischemic stroke require further evaluation. The objective is to determine the clinical correlations of microalbuminuria and its prevalence in acute ischemic stroke patients. Material and Methods: 105 patients who presented with their first acute ischemic stroke within 24 hours after the onset of symptoms were included in this prospective hospital-based comparison analysis. Diagnosis was confirmed by CT brain. Patients were evaluated clinically, radiologically, and through laboratory investigations including urinalysis for albuminuria. Results: Among the 105 patients with acute ischemic stroke, the mean age was 55.8 ± 12.8 years, and 72 (68.6%) were male. 32 patients (30.5%) acknowledged smoking, while 46 patients (43.8%) reported drinking alcohol. Microalbuminuria was detected in 50 (47.6%) patients. Neuroimaging revealed involvement of the right middle cerebral artery (RMCA) in 51 (48.6%) patients, left middle cerebral artery (LMCA) in 44 (41.9%), left posterior cerebral artery (LPCA) in 7 (6.7%), and right posterior cerebral artery (RPCA) in 3 (2.9%). Microalbuminuria showed a significant association with male sex (p=0.047). However, no significant associations were observed with age group (p=0.223), loss of consciousness (p=0.443), seizures (p=0.443), aphasia (p=0.525), weakness (p=0.894), or CT brain findings (p=0.504). Conclusion: Nearly half of the patients with acute ischemic stroke had microalbuminuria, which was strongly correlated with male sex. These results corroborate the idea that microalbuminuria is a sign of both widespread vascular damage and endothelial dysfunction. Assessment of microalbuminuria may be helpful in the clinical evaluation of patients with acute ischemic stroke because of its ease of use, non-invasiveness, and affordability.

Keywords: Acute ischemic stroke; microalbuminuria; endothelial dysfunction; albuminuria; cerebrovascular disease; vascular injury.