Objective: We performed this study to identify the prognostic value of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Material and Method: We retrospectively analyzed 209 consecutive AIS patients and 202 age and sex matched healthy control subjects admitted to neurology clinics of Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital and Ankara Training and Research Hospital between January and June 2014. Patients were classified into admission National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score strata, and stroke subtypes were classified using Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) and Bamford classifications. Mortality and functional outcome using modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was determined at 3 months.

Results: The mean age of patients was 68.5±13.9 years (106 men and 103 women). NLR was significantly higher in AIS group (4.00±3.76) compared to control group (2.18±0.99) (p <0,001). In patients with NIHSS≥16, NLR and mean platelet volume (MPV9) levels were significantly higher compared with moderate (6-15) and mild (≤5) NIHSS score group (p <0.001 and p =0.001, respectively). CRP levels were significantly higher in severe and moderate group (p <0.001). When patients are grouped according to functional outcomes at 3 months, NLR levels were significantly higher in patients who died (p =0.001) and CRP levels were significantly higher in patients who died and those with unfavorable outcome groups (p <0.001).

Conclusion: NLR may be used as a simple and easy-to-measure independent marker for prediction of mortality in acute ischemic stroke patients.