Search Results (27,597)

Recent statistics reported by the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer indicate that the global incidence of bladder cancer has continued to increase in recent years, particularly in industrialized countries. Therefore, the timely diagnosis of early-stage bladder cancer is of great clinical importance for improving patient prognosis and treatment outcomes. In this context, computational optical sensing frameworks that integrate Spectrum-Aided Visual Enhancer (SAVE) technology with cystoscopy have attracted significant attention to overcome the limitations of conventional visual data interpretation. In this study, an AI-driven optical biosensing framework was evaluated using 1372 white-light cystoscopy (WLC) images of bladder cancer (RGB-WLC) collected in collaboration with Chung Shan Medical University Hospital. Hyperspectral conversion technology was applied to extract precise spectral information from the white-light images. Subsequently, dimensionality reduction was performed based on the characteristic wavelengths of narrow-band imaging cystoscopy at 415 nm and 540 nm to generate hyperspectral reconstructed narrow-band images. The images were categorized into Ta stage (Ta), above T1 stage (Above T1), and four additional classes. The dataset was divided into training and testing sets to establish both a standard white-light cystoscopy model (RGB-WLC) and an advanced hyperspectral biosensing model utilizing the YOLOv8 architecture for enhanced pattern recognition. Model performance was evaluated using sensitivity, F1-score, and overall accuracy. The standard RGB-WLC model achieved an accuracy of 0.852, whereas the SAVE-based biosensing model achieved an accuracy of 0.948, representing an improvement of approximately 11.27%. The results demonstrate that combining algorithmic hyperspectral reconstruction with deep learning architectures effectively addresses the challenges of clinical data interpretation and significantly enhances the detection and staging performance of bladder cancer imaging. Full article

Background/Objectives: Dietary inflammation may influence cardiometabolic health, yet the gut mycobiome and bacterial–fungal interactions remain unclear. Building upon our earlier findings and data from the TALENTs trial (Targeting Aging and Longevity with Exogenous Nucleotides) baseline data, we explored gut fungal profiles and bacterial–fungal co-occurrence patterns in relation to the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) and Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) in older adults. Methods: We enrolled 301 community residents aged 60–70 years, with 285 providing qualified fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing data. DII scores were derived from 3-day dietary records to reflect dietary inflammatory risk, and LE8 (integrating health behaviors including physical activity and metabolic health factors including BMI, blood lipids, blood pressure, and blood glucose) was used to assess cardiovascular health; LE8_non-diet was applied as a sensitivity measure. Fungal diversity, genus-level taxa, ecological guilds, and bacterial–fungal associations were analyzed using diversity indices, ZINB/Hurdle models, bootstrap, E-values, DIABLO analysis, and network construction. Results: DII showed an inverse correlation with LE8_non-diet (r = −0.130, p = 0.024). Fungal alpha and beta diversity did not differ significantly across DII-defined groups. Conversely, better cardiovascular status was linked to higher fungal richness, with significantly elevated Chao1 and ACE indices in the high-CVH group (both p < 0.05). Additionally, integrated ZINB, Hurdle, and stability analyses jointly pinpointed four candidate fungal genera that correlated with both DII and LE8. Both ZINB and DIABLO analyses consistently indicated that antagonistic interactions dominated gut bacterial–fungal associations (89.9% vs. 63.8% of negative associations, respectively), with DIABLO further revealing synchronized community-level co-variation between the two kingdoms (r = 0.325, p < 0.01). FUNGuild prediction further revealed saprotrophic guilds enriched in the high-CVH group and host-associated guilds in the low-CVH group, with similar patterns across DII-defined groups. Conclusions: This cross-sectional study reveals gut mycobiome profiles and potential bacterial–fungal co-occurrence patterns among older adults stratified by dietary inflammatory potential and cardiovascular health status, generating testable hypotheses for subsequent nutritional and metabolic research integrating lifestyle behaviors and functional health outcomes. Full article

Background: Application of the capsaicin 8% patch is commonly associated with treatment-related burning pain, which may necessitate rescue analgesia, compromise completion of the standardized 60 min application, and reduce acceptance of repeat treatment. Although capsaicin is an established therapy for painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PDPN), evidence supporting strategies to improve procedural tolerability remains limited. This study evaluated whether ultrasound-guided bilateral ankle nerve block (UGBANB) was associated with better procedural outcomes than topical eutectic mixture of lidocaine/prilocaine (EMLA) pretreatment or no pretreatment. Methods: This retrospective comparative cohort study included 90 adults with neurologist-confirmed PDPN who underwent capsaicin 8% patch therapy. Patients received no pretreatment (n = 30), topical EMLA pretreatment (n = 30), or UGBANB (n = 30). The primary outcome was cumulative procedural pain burden, quantified as the area under the Numeric Pain Rating Scale–time curve (AUC-NPRS) during the standardized 60 min application. Secondary outcomes included rescue tramadol requirements, treatment completion, early postprocedural pain intensity, procedural tolerability, willingness to undergo repeat treatment, and safety. Results: Cumulative procedural pain burden differed significantly among the three pretreatment strategies (one-way ANOVA: F = 289.8, p < 0.001; η² = 0.87). Mean AUC-NPRS was 481.5 ± 39.2 NPRS·min with no pretreatment, 429.2 ± 36.0 with topical EMLA, and 256.3 ± 38.4 with UGBANB, corresponding to approximately 47% and 40% lower cumulative pain burden with UGBANB than with no pretreatment and topical EMLA, respectively. No patient receiving UGBANB required intravenous rescue tramadol, compared with 60.0% receiving EMLA and 100.0% receiving no pretreatment (p < 0.001). Treatment completion was 100% with UGBANB, compared with 83.3% with EMLA and 73.3% with no pretreatment. UGBANB was also associated with lower early postprocedural pain, greater procedural tolerability, and greater willingness to undergo repeat treatment. No serious treatment- or block-related adverse events were observed during the available follow-up. Conclusions: UGBANB was associated with better procedural tolerability and treatment delivery during capsaicin 8% patch therapy than topical EMLA or no pretreatment in patients with PDPN. These findings relate specifically to procedural optimization and should not be interpreted as evidence that UGBANB enhances the intrinsic or long-term analgesic efficacy of capsaicin. Prospective multicenter randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these associations and determine whether improved procedural tolerability translates into better long-term treatment adherence, clinical outcomes, health-related quality of life, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Full article

Background/Objectives: Highly effective cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator therapy has changed cystic fibrosis (CF) care, but Romanian patient-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) data remain limited. This national cross-sectional mixed-methods survey aimed to describe patient- and parent-reported HRQoL in Romanian people with CF (pwCF) aged ≥6 years using age-appropriate Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire-Revised (CFQ-R) versions, with the respiratory domain as the primary outcome. Methods: The online survey was conducted between February and April 2026. Respondents provided demographic and clinical data, including genotype/F508del status, CFTR modulator status, percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (ppFEV₁) category, weight, height, and IV antibiotic-treated pulmonary exacerbations in the previous year. CFQ-R scores were summarized descriptively, and exploratory unadjusted associations were assessed using Mann–Whitney U tests and Spearman correlations. Open-ended responses were analyzed descriptively. Results: Of 67 responses, 61 were included: 43 participants aged 6–13 years and 18 aged ≥14 years. Most respondents were currently receiving CFTR modulators (52/61, 85.2%), predominantly elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor. Mean CFQ-R Respiratory scores were 74.5 ± 23.1 in parent-proxy questionnaires for children aged 6–13 years, 83.3 ± 11.8 in self-reported questionnaires for children aged 12–13 years, and 69.8 ± 27.4 among respondents aged ≥14 years. Respiratory scores were higher among currently treated respondents and those with at least one F508del variant, and lower among those reporting IV antibiotic-treated exacerbations. Treatment burden remained among the lower-scoring domains. Qualitative responses described perceived respiratory, nutritional, and functional improvements, alongside residual treatment burden, psychosocial challenges, and access-related expectations. Conclusions: This national Romanian mixed-methods survey provides descriptive, exploratory CFQ-R-based HRQoL data in the CFTR modulator era. The findings suggest more favorable respiratory HRQoL among currently treated respondents, while supporting continued multidimensional patient-reported outcome monitoring in Romanian CF care. Full article

Background/Objectives: Older adults residing in long-term care frequently experience multimorbidity, low habitual activity, mobility decline, executive dysfunction, and reduced quality of life. Evidence separating the effects of exercise, cognitive stimulation, and their combination remains limited. The primary objective of this trial is to determine whether a 12-week combined physical exercise plus cognitive stimulation programme improves executive function, functional mobility, and health-related quality of life compared with usual care. Secondary objectives are to estimate the effects of each single-component programme, compare the combined programme with each component, and examine maintenance at six months. Methods: This is a four-arm, parallel-group, assessor-blinded randomised controlled trial in Portuguese long-term care facilities. A total of 140 residents aged 65 years or older, residing in long-term care for at least three months and able to provide informed consent, will be allocated 1:1:1:1 to supervised multicomponent exercise, group cognitive stimulation, combined exercise plus cognitive stimulation, or usual care. Active programmes will be delivered three times weekly for 12 weeks. Assessments are planned at baseline, post-intervention, and six-month follow-up according to the prespecified schedule. Primary outcomes are the Stroop interference score, Timed Up and Go time, and EQ-5D-5L index value at 12 weeks. Analyses will follow the intention-to-treat principle using mixed-effects models; multiplicity across the three primary endpoints will be controlled using Holm’s procedure, and interaction analyses will be exploratory and hypothesis-generating. Results: Recruitment and data collection had not started at manuscript submission; therefore, no participant data are reported. Conclusions: The trial will estimate the effects of the combined programme versus usual care and provide exploratory comparative evidence on the single-component programmes in real-world long-term care. Full article

Background: Vertical implant positioning may influence peri-implant health outcomes and long-term stability; however, the impact of baseline vertical implant positioning relative to adjacent teeth remains unclear. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the association between baseline vertical implant positioning and peri-implant clinical and radiographic outcomes. Methods: The Cochrane Central Register, PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science were searched. Vertical implant positioning relative to adjacent teeth was assessed using two radiographic reference distances: implant platform to cemento-enamel junction (IP–CEJ) and implant platform to adjacent interproximal alveolar bone level (IP–ABL). The primary outcome was peri-implant marginal bone loss (MBL). Secondary outcomes included implant survival and success rates, peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis prevalence. Risk of bias was assessed using the Moga checklist, and certainty of evidence was evaluated according to GRADE. Results: Four studies including 267 implants fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The pooled mean baseline IP–CEJ and IP–ABL distances were 4.69 mm (95% CI 2.05 to 7.32) and 2.13 mm (95% CI 1.29 to 2.98), respectively. The pooled mean marginal bone loss after at least 12 months, based on three studies, was 0.21 mm (95% CI −0.28 to 0.70). Conclusions: The available evidence is insufficient to determine whether baseline IP–CEJ or IP–ABL distances are associated with peri-implant outcomes or to identify an optimal range of vertical implant positioning. The findings should be interpreted cautiously because the certainty of evidence is very low, highlighting the need for prospective studies with long-term follow-up. Full article

Background/Objectives: Human gait analysis is essential for identifying biomechanical alterations associated with pathological conditions. However, conventional laboratory systems that combine optical motion capture and force plates remain costly, space-demanding, and difficult to implement in routine or accessible settings. This study proposes a dual-model artificial intelligence framework designed to bridge kinematics and dynamics and subsequently support gait health-status classification from motion data. Methods: The first model was developed to estimate ground reaction forces (GRF) and center of pressure (CoP) signals from kinematic inputs. Public datasets containing synchronized kinematics and dynamics were used to train and evaluate long short-term memory (LSTM) and one-dimensional convolutional neural network (CNN1D) architectures. A robustness stage further adapted the dynamic prediction model to markerless-like kinematic inputs through domain-adaptation training. The second model was implemented as a multichannel convolutional classifier using normalized GRF/CoP signals and metadata. Three variants were compared: signals only, signals with minimal metadata, and signals with rich metadata. Finally, a bridge block connected both models, and a proof-of-concept deployment was performed using markerless kinematics obtained with Move AI and Blender. Results: The final dynamic prediction model achieved an overall RMSE of 0.0676, with reconstructed-signal RMSE of 0.0500 and reconstructed contact accuracy of 0.9736. The best classification variant achieved a balanced accuracy of 0.9608, while the minimal-metadata variant was selected for pipeline integration due to its compatibility with accessible data acquisition. In the full pipeline evaluation, the predicted dynamics correctly classified the healthy-control samples. In the Move AI/Blender proof-of-concept, all five healthy participants were classified as healthy controls, with a mean non-pathological classification probability consistent with this outcome. Conclusions: The proposed dual-model framework demonstrates the operational feasibility of linking kinematic acquisition, dynamic prediction, and gait classification within a single artificial intelligence pipeline. The Move AI/Blender stage represents a preliminary proof of concept rather than clinical validation, and further evaluation with pathological participants and synchronized force-plate measurements is required. Full article

Sustainable food system transformation is inseparable from planetary health, the interdependent wellbeing of human populations and the ecological systems that sustain them. Agroecology and regenerative agriculture are frequently portrayed as competing paradigms for sustainable food system transformation. This commentary challenges this framing as both analytically unwarranted and practically counterproductive. Grounded in Ethiopia’s smallholder agricultural context and informed by recent empirical evidence, we argue that these two approaches are complementary and mutually reinforcing. Agroecology emerged from an equity-centered, participatory, and politically engaged framework for transforming food systems, while regenerative agriculture contributes farm-level ecological restoration tools and measurable biophysical outcomes related to planetary health. Neither is sufficient alone: regenerative practices without agroecology’s social architecture risk reinforcing existing inequities; agroecology without a systematic effort to ensure a widespread increase in production for food security and a net positive regeneration of environmental health cannot fully deliver its transformative potential, particularly in contexts where productivity, livelihoods, and ecosystem restoration must be achieved Ethiopia’s concurrent validation of a National Agroecology Strategy (2026–2040) and advancement of a National Regenerative Agriculture Strategy (2026–2036) reflects a growing national recognition that these paradigms are essential partners, not rivals. An integrated framework embedding regenerative practices within agroecological principles offers the most scientifically grounded and contextually appropriate pathway for Ethiopia’s resilient, equitable, and productive agricultural transformation. Reframed in these terms, agroecology–regenerative integration is not simply a technical or sectoral fix but a direct contribution to planetary health, safeguarding the ecological systems, food security, and social equity on which human wellbeing ultimately depends. Full article

Pretreatment health-related quality of life (HRQoL) may identify supportive care needs, but the joint contribution of symptom burden, depressive symptoms, and resilient coping remains insufficiently characterized. This multicenter baseline analysis included 194 adults with breast (n = 86), gynecological (n = 77), or genitourinary (n = 31) cancer from six Spanish hospitals before systemic therapy. Global HRQoL was assessed with the EuroQol visual analogue scale EQ-VAS; symptom burden with EORTC QLQ-C30 symptom scales/items; depressive symptoms with the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 depression subscale; and resilient coping with the Brief Resilient Coping Scale. EQ-VAS scores did not differ by tumor site (p = 0.369). Symptom burden was strongly inversely associated with HRQoL (r = −0.827, p < 0.001). In the moderated mediation model, higher symptom burden was associated with higher depressive symptoms (B = 0.275, 95% CI 0.118 to 0.431); symptom burden (B = −0.642, 95% CI −0.715 to −0.569) and depressive symptoms (B = −0.529, 95% CI −0.743 to −0.316) were associated with lower HRQoL scores. Indirect effects through depressive symptoms were statistically different from zero, but resilient coping did not significantly moderate this indirect association. These cross-sectional findings support pretreatment screening for symptoms and depressive symptoms to guide early supportive oncology care. Full article

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has high maternal and neonatal mortality rates and only a third of mothers and newborns have a postpartum or postnatal care visit. Increasing male participation and enhancing women’s autonomy are strategies to increase maternal healthcare utilization, but their applicability to first-time mothers (FTMs) in Kinshasa, DRC is unknown. We conducted a secondary analysis using cross-sectional survey data from a maternal and child health project among FTMs and their male partners in Kinshasa. The sample consisted of 1750 FTMs aged 15–24 years. The outcome variables were (1) a postpartum care visit within six weeks of facility discharge for the mother, (2) a postnatal care visit within six weeks of facility discharge for the neonate, and (3) either a postnatal or postpartum care visit within six weeks of facility discharge. Two logistic multivariate regression models were run for each outcome. The first model included all explanatory and demographic variables, and the second model added two interaction terms to test for mediation by in-union status. The male participation in maternal care index was negatively associated with all outcomes and the male participation in childcare index was positively associated with all outcomes. In-union status moderated the relationship between the male involvement indices and postpartum care for the mother but not for postnatal care for the newborn. Our findings show that the type of male participation may be meaningful for increasing postpartum and postnatal care-seeking and male partner participation initiatives need to be contextualized to prevent adverse outcomes. Full article

Spinal pathologies, including degenerative disc disease, spinal cord injury, and conditions requiring spinal fusion, pose a substantial global health burden. While contemporary interventions provide symptomatic relief, achieving durable tissue repair in biologically compromised environments remains a critical challenge. This narrative review synthesizes the current literature on three major nanotechnology applications in spine care: nanostructured implant surfaces, nanoparticle-enhanced bone grafts, and nano-drug delivery systems (NDDSs). Preclinical evidence indicates that nanoscale surface modifications and nanoparticle-augmented synthetic grafts significantly enhance osseointegration and bone fusion by mimicking the native extracellular matrix. Furthermore, in animal models of intervertebral disc degeneration, NDDSs utilizing polymeric nanoparticles and exosomes facilitate sustained, stimuli-responsive therapeutic delivery into the avascular disc space. Although early clinical data on nanostructured cages demonstrate reduced subsidence and stable long-term fusion, the direct translation of these robust preclinical outcomes to widespread clinical efficacy faces substantial hurdles. Significant translational barriers include stringent Class III regulatory classifications, sparse long-term safety data regarding nanoparticle biodistribution, and scale-up manufacturing challenges such as batch variability. Future progress relies on artificial intelligence-guided design, three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting, and multifunctional “smart” nanomaterials. Ultimately, close collaboration among materials scientists, clinicians, and regulatory bodies is essential to safely bridge the gap between preclinical innovation and predictable clinical therapeutic success. Full article

Background: Children with heart failure (HF) are at risk of cognitive and psychiatric problems, and reduced health-related quality of life (QoL), yet data remain limited. This study compared neurocognition, social cognition, health-related quality of life, and psychiatric symptoms among children awaiting transplantation with or without ventricular assist devices (VADs), those who had undergone heart transplantation, and matched controls. Methods: Twenty-three patients at Ege University and 17 age- and sex-matched controls were assessed using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Aged Children, Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL), Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED), Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Fourth Edition (WISC-IV), Eyes Test, and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), evaluating psychiatric diagnoses, anxiety and depressive symptoms, cognition, social cognition, and health-related quality of life. Results: Diagnosis rates and CDI and SCARED child scores were comparable, but SCARED parent scores were significantly higher in the HF group. Patients scored significantly lower on most WISC-IV subtests (8 of 10) and all composite scores and the Eyes Test, indicating impaired social cognition. Child- and parent-reported PedsQL scores were significantly lower across all domains. Cognitive outcomes did not differ significantly across treatment subgroups, though these comparisons were underpowered. Conclusions: Children with HF show marked impairments in neurocognition, social cognition, and health-related quality of life versus healthy peers. Cognitive outcomes did not differ significantly across treatment subgroups, although these subgroup analyses (5–7 children per group) were underpowered and cannot establish the absence of a treatment effect. These findings underscore the need for integrated multidisciplinary care. Full article

Background/Objectives: Severe dengue and dengue–malaria coinfection represent major diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in tropical endemic settings, where overlapping clinical manifestations may delay recognition of deterioration. This study aimed to describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with severe dengue, dengue with warning signs, and dengue–malaria coinfection treated at a referral hospital in Montería, Córdoba, Colombia. Methods: A retrospective case series was conducted by reviewing medical records of patients diagnosed with dengue between 2018 and 2023. Cases classified as dengue without warning signs were excluded. The final analysis included patients with dengue-warning signs, severe dengue, and dengue–malaria coinfection. Dengue classification followed the 2009 World Health Organization criteria, and malaria was confirmed by thick blood smear. Sociodemographic, clinical, laboratory, geographic, and outcome-related variables were collected. Descriptive analyses were performed, and selected categorical variables were compared using Fisher’s exact test. Results: Fifty-three patients were included: 25 (47.17%) with severe dengue, 14 (26.42%) with dengue with warning signs, and 14 (26.42%) with dengue–malaria coinfection. Severe dengue was more frequent among females, whereas dengue with warning signs and coinfection predominated in males. Children accounted for the highest proportion of severe dengue cases, while coinfected cases were mainly distributed between childhood and adolescence. Fever was documented in all patients. Edema, elevated hematocrit, severe plasma leakage, and hemodynamic compromise were more frequent among severe dengue cases, whereas myalgia differed significantly across clinical groups. Ten deaths were recorded, six occurring in coinfected patients. Conclusions: Severe dengue and dengue–malaria coinfection are clinically complex conditions with overlapping manifestations and potentially fatal outcomes, highlighting the need for early recognition, differential diagnosis, and close monitoring. Full article

Background/Objectives: Scoliosis in children leads to complex physical, psychosocial, and functional impairments, yet evidence from low-resource settings is limited. To evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Ethiopian children with scoliosis using WHODAS 2.0 and EQ-5D-Y, and to identify clinical and demographic correlates of disability. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at CURE Children’s Hospital of Ethiopia (1 April 2024–31 March 2025). Ninety-seven children aged 6–15 years with confirmed scoliosis were assessed. WHODAS 2.0 (36-item) captured disability across six domains, while EQ-5D-Y measured physical, psychosocial, and pain-related HRQoL. Clinical severity indicators (Cobb angle, trunk rotation, thoracic morphometrics, anthropometrics) were recorded. Analyses in Python 3.12 included descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple regression to examine associations between scoliosis severity and HRQoL outcomes. Results: Ninety-seven Ethiopian children diagnosed with scoliosis (mean age 11.4 years, mean Cobb angle 73.5°) were assessed; congenital scoliosis was most common (45.4%), followed by idiopathic (38.1%) and neuromuscular (16.5%). WHODAS 2.0 revealed substantial disability, particularly in mobility (46.4%) and social participation (62.8%), with life activities and participation as the strongest contributors. Greater deformity, younger age, and smaller body size were linked to worse outcomes, with neuromuscular and very severe thoracolumbar cases most affected. EQ-5D-Y showed marked HRQoL impairments across domains, with psychological distress (mean 2.24/3), pain, and self-care limitations emerging as key burdens. The mean EQ score was 8.89/15 (59.2%), indicating reduced quality of life. Regression analyses highlighted pain, psychological distress, and self-care limitations as the domains most strongly associated with poorer HRQoL, while greater Cobb angle and higher ATR degree were also correlated with reduced quality of life. Conclusions: Ethiopian children with scoliosis experience significant multidimensional impairments in HRQoL, with mobility, social participation, pain, and psychological distress as dominant burdens. WHODAS 2.0 and EQ-5D-Y proved complementary in capturing these impacts, supporting their use for early detection, clinical care, and public health planning in resource-limited settings. Full article

Background and Objectives: The C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR) is associated with mortality and poor outcome after acute ischemic stroke, but the association is not the same as added clinical usefulness. We evaluated whether admission CAR and follow-up CAR provide prognostic information beyond a prespecified parsimonious clinical reference model comprising age, neurological severity, and admission glucose in critically ill patients with acute ischemic stroke. Materials and Methods: In this single-center retrospective cohort of 146 adults with acute ischemic stroke managed in intensive care, CAR was calculated from C-reactive protein and serum albumin at emergency department admission and at the first intensive care laboratory assessment. The primary outcome was 90-day all-cause mortality. A clinical reference model (age, admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score, admission glucose) was compared with the same model augmented by log-transformed CAR using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), the DeLong test, likelihood-ratio (LR) testing, and bootstrap optimism-corrected performance. Results: Ninety-day mortality occurred in 32 of 146 patients (21.9%) (full cohort; primary complete-case analysis: 141 patients with 31 events). In the primary complete-case analysis (n = 141; 31 events), admission CAR was not independently associated with mortality (odds ratio per 1-SD log CAR 1.46, 95% confidence interval 0.91–2.33; p = 0.115). Adding admission CAR changed the AUC from 0.768 (0.676–0.860) to 0.783 (0.693–0.874) (ΔAUC +0.016, 95% confidence interval −0.024 to +0.055; DeLong p = 0.444; LR p = 0.113), with optimism-corrected point estimates of 0.750 and 0.754. Follow-up CAR did not add value (LR p = 0.159), and change in CAR did not improve discrimination (ΔAUC +0.001; LR p = 0.945); because intensive care sampling times were not standardized, these analyses assess incremental prognostic information rather than CAR kinetics. Admission CAR was not associated with poor 90-day functional outcome (odds ratio 1.09, 95% confidence interval 0.83–1.44; p = 0.530). Conclusions: Admission CAR did not demonstrate measurable incremental prognostic value beyond the prespecified clinical reference model, and follow-up CAR and change-based analyses did not improve prediction, although non-standardized sampling times mean that serial CAR kinetics were not fully evaluated. The confidence intervals remain compatible with both no effect and a positive effect of uncertain clinical relevance, but the observed improvement was insufficient to support CAR as a stand-alone or routinely additive prognostic marker in this setting. Full article