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Background Cancer in stroke patients is associated with higher levels of inflammatory biomarkers and unfavorable poststroke outcomes. We thus explored whether there is a link between cancer and stroke-associated infections. Methods Medical records of patients with ischemic stroke in 2014–2016 registered in the Swiss Stroke Registry of Zurich were retrospectively analyzed. Incidence, characteristics, treatment, and outcome of stroke-associated infections diagnosed within 7 days after stroke onset were tested for an association with cancer. Results Among 1181 patients with ischemic stroke, 102 patients with cancer were identified. Stroke-associated infections occurred in 179 and 19 patients (17% and 19%) without and with cancer (P =.60), respectively, among them pneumonia in 95 and 10 patients (9% and 10%) and urinary tract infections in 68 and 9 patients (6% and 9%) (P =.74 and P =.32). Use of antibiotics was similar between groups. Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) (P <.001), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (P =.014) and procalcitonin (P =.015) were higher and levels of albumin (P =.042) and protein (P =.031) were lower in patients with cancer than without cancer. Among patients without cancer, higher CRP (P <.001), ESR (P <.001) and procalcitonin (P =.04) and lower albumin (P <.001) were associated with stroke-associated infections. Among cancer patients with or without infections, no significant differences in these parameters were observed. In-hospital mortality was associated with cancer (P <.001) and with stroke-associated infections (P <.001). However, among patients with stroke-associated infections, cancer was not associated with in-hospital mortality (P =.24) or 30-day mortality (P =.66). Conclusions Cancer does not represent a risk factor for stroke-associated infections in this patient cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Whether patients with stroke and cancer exhibit specific characteristics has remained controversial. Methods: Medical records of patients with ischemic stroke in 2014 or 2015 registered in the Swiss Stroke Registry of Zurich were retrospectively analyzed and integrated with regional cancer registry data. Associations of clinical and outcome parameters with cancer diagnosed up to 5 years prior to stroke were tested. Results: Of 753 patients with ischemic stroke, 59 patients with cancer were identified. History of venous thromboembolism (p < 0.001) was associated with cancer while age and cardiovascular risk factors were not. Higher levels of D-dimers (p = 0.001), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p = 0.003), C-reactive protein (CRP) (p < 0.001), and lower levels of hemoglobin (p = 0.003) were associated with cancer. For platelets, pathologically low (p = 0.034) or high levels (p < 0.001) were linked to cancer. Modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores ≥ 4 on admission and at follow-up were more frequent in cancer patients (p = 0.038 and p = 0.001). Poor post-stroke survival was associated with cancer (HR 2.2, p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis identified venous thromboembolism (OR 5.1), pathologic platelet count (OR = 2.9), low hemoglobin (OR 2.5) and elevated CRP (OR 1.8) as independently associated with cancer. In multivariable Cox regression, risk for death was associated with cancer (HR 1.7), low hemoglobin (HR 2.6), mRS on admission ≥ 4 (HR 1.9), pathologic platelet count (HR 1.6), female sex (HR 1.7), and elevated CRP (HR 1.4). Conclusions: Considering cancer as a cofactor for post-stroke outcome may impact clinical decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]