Significant reduction of plasma gelsolin levels in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage

Background: Plasma gelsolin depletion has been associated with poor outcomes of critically ill patients. The present study was undertaken to investigate the plasma gelsolin concentrations in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage and to analyze the correlation of gelsolin with disease outcome. Methods: Plasma gelsolin levels of 132 patients and 68 healthy controls were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Its correlation with 6-month mortality and unfavorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score > 2) was analyzed. Results: Forty-six patients (34.9%) died and 79 patients (59.9%) had an unfavorable outcome at 6 months. Upon admission, plasma gelsolin level was significantly lower in patients than healthy controls. Plasma gelsolin level was highly correlated with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score. A forward stepwise logistic regression selected plasma gelsolin level as an independent predictor for 6-month mortality and unfavorable outcome of patients. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that plasma gelsolin level had high area under curve for predicting 6-month clinical outcomes. The prognostic value of gelsolin was similar to that of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score for 6-month clinical outcomes. Gelsolin improved the prognostic value of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score for 6-month unfavorable outcome, but not for 6-month mortality. Conclusion: Plasma gelsolin level represents a novel biomarker for predicting 6-month clinical outcomes in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.