After adjusting for covariates, including stroke-associated pneumonia, co-elevation of WCC and CRP at admission was independently associated with significantly increased risk of poor functional outcome (RR 1.08 [95% CI 1.01–1.15]) and inpatient mortality (RR 1.21 [95% CI 1.06–1.39]); and increased 90-day (HR 1.22 [95% CI 1.03–1.45]), and 1-year mortality (HR 1.20 [95% CI 1.02–1.41]). The gene discussed is CRP; the disease is Stroke.