In this prospective cohort study, we screened for albuminuria by using urine albumin-creatinine ratio in patients who were admitted for acute stroke in the stroke unit at the Albert Einstein Medical Center. Acute hemorrhagic stroke was identified by computerized tomography of the brain, and acute ischemic stroke was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. The TOAST criteria were used to categorize the etiology of ischemic stroke.

A total 148 patients were admitted to the stroke unit and screened for albuminuria.  Of these patients, 29 (19.6%) had acute hemorrhagic stroke and 119 (80.4%) had acute ischemic stroke. Amongst patients with hemorrhagic stroke, albuminuria was identified in 27 (93%). In ischemic stroke patients, 102 (85.7%) subjects screened positive for albuminuria. Amongst ischemic stroke patients, 34 (23%) were large artery atherosclerotic stroke, 33 (22.2%) were cardioembolic stroke, 40 (27%) were lacunar stroke and 12 (8.2%) were others. No significant association between the severity of albuminuria and the type of stroke by TOAST classification by multivariate logistic regression analysis. 

In this prospective cohort from a single stroke center, albuminuria is very common and was found in 93% of hemorrhagic stroke patients and 85.7% of ischemic stroke patients. However, there was no significant association between the severity of albuminuria and the type of stroke by multivariate logistic regression analysis.