Charlson Comorbidity Index in Ischemic Stroke and Intracerebral Hemorrhage as Predictor of Mortality and Functional Outcome after 6 Months

Background The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) is commonly used in outcome and mortality studies. Our aim was to investigate the association between CCI score and the functional outcome and mortality 6 months after ischemic stroke (IS) or intracerebral hemorrhage. Methods This was a prospective observational cohort of patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage and IS admitted to the stroke unit during 18 months. The modified Rankin scale (mRS) score was obtained for subjects 6 months after event. The CCI score was dichotomized (low comorbidity 0 or 1 versus high ≥2) for analysis. The mRS score was also dichotomized (good outcome, mRS score 0 or 1 versus poor outcome, mRS score ≥2). Results In all, 175 patients were enrolled in the study. Logistic regression showed that those with a high CCI score (≥2) had 37.3% increased odds of having a poor outcome (≥2) at 6 months and 68.4% greater odds of death at 6 months. Conclusions Comorbid medical conditions independently influence outcome after IS or intracerebral hemorrhage.