CRP and atrial fibrillation: Patients with NIHSS ≥ 8 were significantly older, had higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation (31.8% vs. 13.2%) and COPD (13.43% vs. 5.00%), and exhibited elevated inflammatory markers (SII: severe group 533.21 vs. mild group 359.90, p < 0.001; CRP: severe group 6.55 vs. mild group 2.26, p < 0.001).