Abstract: Objective To investigate the correlation between serum albumin level and cognitive function in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and to provide a basis for the early identification of cognitive impairment after stroke. Methods A total of 103 AIS patients were selected and divided into cognitive impairment group (MMSE≤26, n=48) and the group without cognitive impairment (MMSE>26, n=55) by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The differences in demographic characteristics, serum biochemical parameters and imaging characteristics at admission were compared between the 2 groups. The multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of cognitive dysfunction in AIS patients, and Spearman correlation was used to analyze the correlation between albumin levels and MMSE scores in patients. Results Compared with the group without cognitive impairment, patients in the cognitive impairment group were older, had a lower education level and had an increased proportion of low albumin (≤ 40 g/L) level (52.08% vs. 18.18%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the low albumin was one of risk factors for cognitive impairment in AIS patients (OR=3.379, 95%CI: 1.227-9.302, P＜0.05). There was a positive correlation between MMSE score and the serum albumin level (rs=0.426, P＜0.01). Conclusion The low albumin level is one of risk factors for cognitive decline in patients with AIS. The early cognitive assessment is helpful for early recognition of cognitive impairment after stroke.

Key words: stroke, cognition disorders, serum albumin, risk factors, mini-mental state examination