C-Reactive Protein–To–Albumin Ratio and its Association with Stroke among Hypertensive Patients in South-Eastern Nigeria: A Pilot Cross-Sectional Study
Background:Chronic inflammation is central to the development of hypertension and its complications, including stroke. The C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR), which combines a positive and a negative acute-phase reactant, has emerged as a potential marker of systemic inflammatory burden. However, evidence from sub-Saharan Africa remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the CAR among hypertensive patients and assess its association with stroke status in a South-Eastern Nigerian population. Methods:This pilot case–control study included 20 participants, comprising 10 hypertensive patients and 10 apparently healthy normotensive controls. Serum albumin was measured using the bromocresol green method, while C-reactive protein was determined by an immunoenzymometric assay. CAR was calculated as the ratio of CRP to albumin. Blood pressure was measured using standard protocols and stroke status was determined and supported by clinical findings and neuroimaging reports. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Kendall’s tau-b correlation, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results:Hypertensive patients had significantly lower serum albumin levels and higher CRP concentrations compared with controls (p = 0.004). CAR values were significantly higher among hypertensive participants (range: 1.077–4.667) compared with controls (range: 0.265–0.842) (p = 0.023). A strong positive association was observed between CAR and stroke status (tau-b = 0.618, p = 0.001). Conclusion:CAR is elevated among hypertensive patients and is significantly associated with stroke status, suggesting its potential role as a simple and cost-effective prognostic inflammatory marker. Larger longitudinal studies are needed to validate these findings.