Correlation Analysis of Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and Platelet Count (PC) with Clinical Degrees of Ischemic Stroke Patients

Abstract

This retrospective cross-sectional study examined associations of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet count (PC) with admission NIHSS scores at Bhayangkara Kendari Hospital. Total sampling included 32 ischemic stroke patients aged 18–80 years with onset within 72 hours before admission. Mean age was 59.41 ± 11.48 years; 62.5% were male. Median NLR was 3.35, PC was 262 × 10³ cells/mm³, and NIHSS was 6.50 (range 3–18). Study-defined NIHSS groups comprised 14 mild (43.8%; 0–4), 15 moderate (46.9%; 5–15), and 3 higher-severity cases (9.4%; >15). Spearman analysis showed a positive NLR–NIHSS correlation (rₛ = 0.636, p < 0.001), whereas PC was not significantly correlated (rₛ = 0.225, p = 0.216). Exact sampling intervals, assessor training, baseline risk factors, and pretreatment data were not available for evaluation. The small single-centre sample, retrospective selection, and lack of adjustment limit interpretation. NLR was associated with admission neurological impairment; independent effects and diagnostic, prognostic, or predictive performance were not established. NLR cannot replace clinical assessment on the basis of these findings.