Complete Blood Count Parameters as Prognostic Factor of Stroke: A Systematic Review

Introduction: Stroke is known as a common cause of disability all over the world. Stroke prognosis estimation has always been a topic of interest. In this study, it was tried to investigate the prognostic value of laboratory findings of complete blood count in a systematic review.

Methods: In this systematic review, literature from Medline via (PubMed, Ovid) Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ProQuest between 1988 and 2020 were included. A combination of Mesh and free terms were included in the search strategy: "Stroke", "Red Cell Distribution Width", "Blood Cell Count", "Mean corpuscular hemoglobin", and "Mean Corpuscular Volume" and with the abbreviation, in all fields. Data synthesis was achieved using content analysis.

Results: Elevated red blood cell distribution width was associated with stroke, cardiovascular events, and all-cause deaths among patients with prior stroke. Mean platelet volume has not any prognostic significance in ischemic stroke. There was a poor association between mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and stroke prognosis. Globulin and hemoglobin level predicted short-term mortality following acute ischemic stroke.

Conclusion: Complete blood count as a routine and efficient test performed in health care centers can be used to estimate the prognosis of stroke.