Background: Stroke is a serious public health issue and third leading cause of death worldwide. Hypoalbuminemia is commonly found factor in patients of stroke and is also associated with severe disease as well as pro inflammatory patterns of serum protein electrophoresis. Therefore, further research for understanding the role of Hypoalbuminemia in stroke is important to devise strategies for better management of stroke.

Aim : To determine the frequency of hypoalbuminemia in acute ischemic stroke patients based on stroke severity.

Methods: This descriptive cross- sectional study was conducted in Shifa International hospital stroke unit for 6 months from May 15, 2018 till Nov 15, 2018. Data was collected from 100 patients using purposive sampling. After taking consent from patient or attendant, the demographic data was collected on a structured proforma. Baseline serum albumin and stroke severity using the NIHSS score was also assessed. All data was entered and analysed using SPSS 21. After descriptive analysis, post stratified Chi Square test was applied for gender and age categories.

Results: The mean age of patients was 63.60 ± 11.87 years with 57(57%) male and 43(43%) female cases. The mean serum albumin level was 4.03 ± 0.94 with minimum and maximum values as 1.50 and 5.5. Among cases with minor, moderately severe and with severe stroke, 6(37.5%) cases, 18(25.7%) cases and 6(42.9%) cases had Hypoalbuminemia. The frequency of hypoalbuminemia was statistically same with respect to severity of stroke, p-value > 0.05.

Conclusion: This study concludes that the frequency of hypoalbuminemia in acute ischemic stroke patients was diagnosed in almost one third cases, however, no statistical association could be found. Hence, screening for hypoalbuminemia should be done for better management of stroke patients.

Keywords: Storke, NIHSS score, serum albumin, hypoalbuminemia, mortality