Relationship between white blood cell count at admission and short term outcome in patients with acute cerebral infarction.

PURPOSE We studied the association between admission white blood cell (WBC) count and short term outcome in patients with acute cerebral infarction. METHODS 2808 patients with acute cerebral infarction were included in the study. WBC count and other variables were collected within the first 24 hours of admission. Clinical outcomes (death or dependency) were evaluated by neurologists during hospitalization. The associations between WBC count and in-hospital death or dependency at discharge were analyzed using a multiple logistic model. RESULT Multivariate-adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence intervals) of dependency associated with patients with WBC of 10.0-10.9×109/L, 11.0-11.9×109/L, ≥12.0×109/L were 1.46(0. 87-2. 45), 6.21(3. 70-10. 42) and 7.01(4. 53-10. 87), respectively, when compared with patients with admission WBC counts < 10.0x109/L. Multivariate-adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence intervals) of death associated with WBC 10.0-10.9×109/L, 11.0-11.9×109/L and ≥12.0×109/L were 2.098(0. 96-4. 58), 4.79(2. 24-10. 22) and 5.59(3. 14-9. 98), respectively. CONCLUSION Increased WBC count at admission was significantly and positively associated with in-hospital death or dependency at discharge among patients with acute cerebral infarction.