Lower serum triglyceride level is associated with increased stroke severity

Background and Purpose-A previous study showed that low triglyceride concentration predicts higher mortality after stroke. The aim of our study was to determine whether serum triglyceride level is associated with stroke severity on admission. Methods-863 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke were included. Serum triglyceride level was measured within 36 hours after stroke onset. Stroke severity on admission was assessed using Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS). The patients were divided into 2 groups: those with severe stroke (SSSless than or equal to25) and those with mild/moderate stroke (SSS>25). Results-Patients with severe stroke had significantly lower serum triglyceride level than patients with mild/moderate stroke (1.4+/-0.6 versus 1.7+/-1.3 mmol/L). After adjusting for age, sex, atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and ischemic heart disease, patients with triglyceride >2.3 mmol/L had lower risk of severe stroke than those with triglyceride less than or equal to2.3 mmol/ L (OR: 0.58; 95% CI: 0.35 to 0.95). Conclusions-Our results suggest that lower level of triglyceride is associated with the more severe stroke.