Study of Correlation of Serum Cortisol Levels with Severity of Stroke

Abstract

Background: Stroke is a major cause of death and disability worldwide, with a particularly high burden in India. Prognostic markers that help assess severity at presentation are needed. Cortisol, the main stress hormone, rises after acute stroke due to activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. While elevated levels have been associated with hyperglycemia, inflammation, and poor outcomes, its role as a marker of stroke severity remains uncertain.