Daijiworld Media Network - New York

New York, Apr 12: A recent review has highlighted that inflammation and malnutrition may act together to worsen outcomes in patients suffering from Acute Ischemic Stroke, impacting recovery, survival, and long-term health.

Researchers noted that stroke triggers systemic inflammation, metabolic stress, and immune imbalance, while malnutrition is also commonly seen in patients after a stroke. The study points to a two-way relationship where inflammation can lead to nutritional decline, and malnutrition, in turn, can further weaken immune response and intensify inflammation.

The review found that pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α can suppress appetite, disrupt hormonal balance, and contribute to reduced food intake. At the same time, inflammation can increase energy expenditure, accelerate muscle loss, and alter protein metabolism, worsening nutritional status.

Additional complications such as swallowing difficulties, reduced mobility, and cognitive impairment further increase the risk of malnutrition among stroke patients, creating a cycle that negatively affects recovery.

The authors stressed that there is no single standard method for assessing nutritional status in stroke care. Instead, a combination of screening tools and laboratory indices is recommended, while cautioning that common markers like serum albumin may not always provide accurate results during acute inflammation.

Early nutritional intervention, including personalised diets and enteral feeding when required, was identified as critical to improving outcomes. The study suggests that integrating nutrition management into standard stroke care could reduce complications and support better recovery.

The findings underline the importance of addressing both inflammation and nutrition together in managing stroke patients and call for further research in this area.