The role of serum osteoprotegerin and S-100 protein levels in patients with acute ischaemic stroke: determination of stroke subtype, severity and mortality.

This study investigated correlations between mortality, stroke subtype and stroke severity with serum osteoprotegerin (OPG) and S-100 protein levels prior to the treatment of patients admitted to the emergency department and diagnosed with ischaemic stroke. Pretreatment serum samples were collected from patients (n = 90) to determine OPG and S-100 protein levels. Age- and sex-matched healthy individuals (n = 16) served as controls. Compared with controls, OPG and S-100 protein levels were significantly higher in the cardioembolic and atherothrombotic stroke groups. Within the stroke group, OPG levels were significantly higher in the cardioembolic and atherothrombotic stroke groups compared with the transient ischaemic attack (TIA) group. S-100 protein levels were significantly higher in the atherothrombotic stroke group than in the lacunar stroke and TIA groups, and in the cardioembolic stroke group compared with the lacunar stroke group. Serum OPG and S-100 protein levels were significantly higher in patients who died compared with survivors. In predicting stroke subtype and severity, although both OPG and S-100 protein levels were indicators, S-100 protein was more valuable for mortality prediction.