Platelet count is associated with outcome in cancer patients with stroke.
INTRODUCTION
Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and cancer are among the most common causes of mortality worldwide, preceded only by ischemic heart disease (IHD). Thrombocytopenia was shown to be associated with poor outcomes in IHD and CVD in the general population. This study aimed to assess the relationship of thrombocytopenia with poor outcomes in cancer patients with CVD.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
Data on patients with concomitant CVD and cancer who were initially treated at a cancer referral center between January 2010 and December 2017 were included. Thrombocytopenia was defined as a platelet count < 150,000/mm3 during the first 24 h of CVD symptom onset. The IRB (CI/837/17) approved the review of clinical records.


RESULTS
Among 268 cancer patients with CVD included in the study, 210 met the inclusion criteria. Median overall survival of the entire cohort was 7.2 months, which was significantly shorter in males (p = 0.029) and patients with hematologic tumors (p = 0.009), hemorrhagic CVD (p < 0.001), altered mental status (p < 0.001), and thrombocytopenia (p < 0.001). Multiple regression logistic analysis revealed that thrombocytopenia (risk ratio [RR] 1.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-2.4) and altered mental status (RR 2.7, 95% CI 1.9-4.0) remained statistically significant risk factors for mortality.


CONCLUSION
In cancer patients with CVD, thrombocytopenia at the time of CVD diagnosis and altered mental status during initial clinical evaluation were associated with higher mortality, which should be confirmed in future studies.
['Cacho-Díaz|Bernardo|B|http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9289-5312', 'Spínola-Maroño|Héctor|H|', 'Mendoza-Olivas|Laura G|LG|', 'Candelaria|Myrna|M|']
D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders D005260:Female D006801:Humans D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D009369:Neoplasms D016017:Odds Ratio D010976:Platelet Count D011379:Prognosis D011446:Prospective Studies D012307:Risk Factors D020521:Stroke D013921:Thrombocytopenia
Platelets Cancer Stroke Mortality Thrombocytopenia