Prognostic value of the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio for outcomes of stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Y.-K. Yan, H. Huang, D.-P. Li, Z.-Y. Ai, X. Li, Z. Sun

Department of Neurology, Huzhou Cent Hospital, Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. sunzhe110829@163.com

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• Neurology

OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to conduct a systematic literature search and pool data from individual studies to assess the relationship between platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and functional outcomes and mortality in stroke patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The databases of PubMed, Embase and Google Scholar were searched for relevant studies up to 21st August 2021. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for the association between PLR and poor functional outcomes and mortality.

RESULTS: Sixteen studies were included in the systematic review and nine in the meta-analysis. On analysis of eight studies, we noted no statistically significant relationship between PLR and poor functional outcomes in patients with stroke (OR: 1.00 95% CI: 1.00, 1.00 I2=80% p=0.30). Data on mortality was reported by just two studies. Pooled analysis indicated no statistical relationship between PLR and mortality in patients with stroke (OR: 1.49 95% CI: 0.56, 3.98 I2=76% p=0.43). Descriptive analysis of the remaining studies demonstrated conflicting results for the relationship between PLR and early neurological deterioration (END) and functional outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that PLR may not be a useful prognostic marker to predict functional outcomes after AIS. Evidence on the predictive power of PLR for mortality and END after stroke is scarce and contrasting. There is a need for further studies assessing the role of PLR in predicting outcomes of stroke patients while taking into account important confounders like baseline stroke severity and treatment modality.

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