BACKGROUND:

The glycemia and the determination of serum leukocytes on admission have demonstrated prognostic importance in patients with ischemic cerebral vascular disease (CVD). The leuko-glycemic index (ILG) is recently studied as a prognostic marker, but knowledge about its value is lacking.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the leuko-glycemic index (ILG) as a prognostic marker of mortality and complications in patients with atherothrombotic ischemic stroke.

MATERIAL AND METHOD:

A prospective study was conducted on patients with atherothrombotic ischemic vascular disease during the acute phase of the infarction, who were admitted to the Internal Medicine Department of the Ticoman General Hospital from January to December 2017. Clinical and laboratory data were collected, including glycemia and leukogram at admission, from which the ILG was calculated and its prognostic value was evaluated, as well as its relationship with the NIHSS and Rankin scales and/or with the 21-day mortality.

RESULTS:

There were included 72 patients. Patients with a higher number of complications during hospitalization had higher ILG values (p = 0.02). A value ≥ 900 was obtained as a cut-off point; patients with higher values presented a three times higher probability of complications during hospitalization (odds ratio: 3.02, CI95%: 1.03 to 9.9, p = 0.04), so the ILG was a significant predictor.

CONCLUSIONS:

Leuko-glycemic index was associated with greater severity of cerebral vascular disease in the NIHSS and Rankin scales, and was associated with intrahospital complications.