Prognostic significance of plasma visfatin levels in patients with ischemic stroke

Plasma visfatin concentration has been enhanced in ischemic stroke. The aim of the current investigation was to test whether determination of visfatin in plasma is associated with 6-month clinical outcomes including mortality and unfavorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score > 2) in the patients with ischemic stroke. Between July 2009 and January 2012, plasma visfatin concentrations of 186 patients and 100 healthy individuals were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Plasma visfatin concentrations were higher in patients than in healthy individuals (108.5 ± 41.1 ng/mL vs. 13.8 ± 3.9 ng/mL, P < 0.001). A logistic regression analysis selected plasma visfatin concentration as an independent predictor for 6-month clinical outcomes (both P < 0.01). Using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, plasma visfatin concentration was found to predict 6-month clinical outcomes with the high predictive performance. The predictive value of visfatin was in the range of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (both P > 0.05). Combined use of visfatin and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score did not improve the predictive significance (both P > 0.05). Thus, visfatin may help in the prediction of long-term clinical outcomes in patients with ischemic stroke.