Serum YKL-40 levels as a prognostic factor in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage

•Serum YKL-40 levels are enhanced in intracerebral hemorrhage.•YKL-40 is associated with inflammation of intracerebral hemorrhage.•YKL-40 is associated with severity of intracerebral hemorrhage.•Serum YKL-40 levels predict clinical outcomes of intracerebral hemorrhage.

ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum YKL-40 concentrations and 3-month clinical outcomes in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage.Design and methodsIn 172 consecutive patients and 172 sex- and age-matched healthy controls, serum YKL-40 concentrations were measured with an enzyme-linked immunoassay. The prognostic value of YKL-40 concentrations for 3-month mortality and functional outcome was assessed. An unfavorable outcome was defined as a score above 2 on the modified Rankin Scale.ResultsSerum concentrations of YKL-40 were markedly higher in all patients than in healthy controls, and were correlated positively with National Institute of Health Stroke Scale scores and plasma C-reactive protein levels. YKL-40 was identified as an independent predictor of 3-month mortality and unfavorable outcome and its area under receiver operating characteristic curve was similar to the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale scores. However, it did not improve the prognostic predictive performance of National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score.ConclusionsYKL-40 is associated with inflammation and severity of intracerebral hemorrhage, and may independently predict long-term clinical outcomes of intracerebral hemorrhage.