Epidemiology
Uric acid and Lp(a) track with neurological damage severity in diabetic patients with penetrating-artery cerebral infarction (Pak J Pharm Sci 2026)
Original title: The relationship between blood uric acid, serum lipoprotein(a) and the severity of neurological damage in patients with acute arteriolar occlusive cerebral infarction combined with type 2 diabetes mellitus and the therapeutic effect of ligustrazine
This study examined patients with acute penetrating-artery occlusive cerebral infarction and type 2 diabetes, comparing biochemical markers between mild and moderate infarction groups and between patients with good and poor prognosis. Patients with moderate infarction had significantly higher blood uric acid and Lp(a) levels, and both markers, along with infarct diameter, were independent risk factors for poor prognosis; a combined prediction model using all three showed good sensitivity and specificity. Pre-treatment uric acid and Lp(a) levels correlated positively with pre-treatment NIHSS stroke severity scores and with post-treatment modified Rankin Scale scores. The study also reports a therapeutic benefit from tanshinone in this population. The abstract does not report sample size or effect sizes, so this is a qualitative signal rather than a rigorously quantified one.
Original abstract
Background: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between blood uric acid (UA), serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], and the severity of neurological damage in patients with acute penetrating artery occlusive cerebral infarction combined with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Objectives: To evaluate the role of UA and Lp(a) levels as independent risk factors for neurological damage severity and poor prognosis, and to observe the therapeutic effect of tanshinone.
Methods: Clinical data of patients were analyzed to compare differences in indicators between the mild and moderate groups, as well as between groups with good and poor prognosis.
Results: Patients in the moderate infarction group showed significantly higher levels of UA, Lp(a), and other biochemical markers, along with higher rates of unhealthy lifestyle habits and comorbidities. UA, Lp(a), and infarct diameter were independent risk factors for poor prognosis. Their combined prediction model demonstrated good sensitivity and specificity. Pre-treatment UA and Lp(a) levels were significantly positively correlated with pre-treatment NIHSS scores and post-treatment mRS scores, respectively.
Conclusion: In patients with acute penetrating artery occlusive cerebral infarction combined with T2DM, blood uric acid and serum Lp(a) levels are associated with the severity of neurological damage and serve as independent risk factors for poor prognosis.
Summary written by lp-a.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 17 August 2026. Methods.