Preoperative neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio as a new prognostic predictor after microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy

Various studies have been reported to predict the success of varicocelectomy. Neutrophil‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a frequently used indicator of systemic inflammation. We aimed to evaluate the effect of inflammation on the success of varicocelectomy using the NLR. The data of 86 patients who underwent varicocelectomy for infertility were evaluated retrospectively. Pre‐operative demographic characteristics of patients, laboratory results such as haemogram, and semen analysis and clinical data were recorded. The semen analysis with the highest total motile sperm count was accepted as pre‐operative value. Control was performed with semen analysis at post‐operative 6th month. As described in previous studies, in our study, more than 50% increase in total motile sperm count in post‐operative semen analysis was defined as a significant improvement. However, at least a 100% increase was required for patients with a total motile sperm count <5 million in the definition of recovery. Patients were divided into two groups as those with improvement in the semen parameters (Group 1) and those without (Group 2). NLR was statistically significantly higher in Group 2 compared with Group 1. The area under the curve (AUC) in the ROC curve for NLR was 0.89. According to the Youden index, the best cut‐off value of NLR for varicocelectomy success was 1.98 (sensitivity: 94.7%, specificity: 75.9%, p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that NLR (odds ratio: 3.6, 95% confidence interval: 1.69–8.38, p < 0.001) is independent predictor factors in predicting the success of varicocelectomy. The results of this study show that systemic inflammation adversely affects the likelihood of improvement in sperm parameters by varicocelectomy. Additionally, NLR has been shown to be an independent factor in the prediction of varicocelectomy success.     

Predictive value of haematologic parameters in diagnosis of testicular torsion: Evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis

To compare the difference of mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet (PLT) and leucocyte between testicular torsion (TT), epididymo-orchitis and healthy controls and further evaluate predictive values of these haematologic parameters in diagnosis and the differential diagnosis of TT. Databases were systematically retrieved, and reference search was also conducted manually. We applied Stata software 12.0 to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ultimately, five case–control studies with 672 participants were recruited for analyses. Pooled analyses indicated that TT patients had lower NLR (WMD = −1.66, 95% CI = −3.25 to −0.06) and PLT (WMD = −27.39, 95% CI = −48.03 to −6.75) compared to epididymo-orchitis patients. In the meantime, TT patients had higher NLR and leucocyte than healthy controls (p < .05). That is to say, when a man develops TT, his NLR and leucocyte will rise up but his NLR will not reach the level of epididymo-orchitis. To sum up, NLR, PLT and leucocyte were vital factors for TT diagnosis. Leucocyte is an useful parameter for diagnosing both TT and epididymo-orchitis, but it cannot be used in differentiating the two diseases. NLR is beneficial parameter for differential diagnosis between TT and epididymo-orchitis. PLT can also be utilised in differential diagnosis among young patients.     

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio changes predict small hepatocellular carcinoma survival

Background

There is limited information available concerning the delta neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (ΔNLR) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The present study was designed to evaluate the predictive value of dynamic change of NLR in patients who undergo curative resection for small HCC.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed to analyze 189 patients with small HCC who underwent curative resection between February 2007 and March 2012. Patient data were retrieved from our prospectively maintained database. Patients were divided into two groups: group A (NLR increased, n = 80) and group B (NLR decreased, n = 109). Demographic and clinical data, overall survival (OS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were statistically compared and a multivariate analysis was used to identify prognostic factors.

Results

The 1, 3, and 5-y OS in group A was 92.7, 70.0, and 53.0%, respectively, and 96.2, 87.5, and 75.9%, respectively, for group B (P = 0.003); The corresponding 1, 3, and 5-y RFS was 58.7, 37.9, 21.8, and 81.2%, 58.5% and 53.8% for groups A and B, respectively (P <0.001). Multivariate analysis suggested that ΔNLR was an independent prognostic factor for both OS (P = 0.004, Hazard Ratio (HR) = 2.637, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.356–5.128) and RFS (P <0.001, HR = 2.372, 95% CI 1.563–3.601).

Conclusions

Increased NLR, but not high preoperative NLR or postoperative NLR, helps to predict worse OS and RFS in patients with small HCC who underwent curative resection.     

Significance of preoperative hematologic scoring in predicting death among patients with non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma undergoing nephrectomy

PurposeNeutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are hematologic scoring and indicators of the systemic inflammatory response. The increasing use of NLR and PLR have been associated with poor outcome in various types of malignancy. We evaluated the effect of NLR and PLR on survival outcomes of nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC).Materials and methodsWe retrospectively review 150 patients who had undergone nephrectomy for nonmetastatic RCC between 2006 and 2016. Cancer specific survival (CSS) was assessed using Kaplan–Meier method and compared using log-rank test. We applied univariate and multivariate Cox regression model to analyze the association of NLP and PLR with clinical outcome.ResultsAt median follow up of 33 months, 45 patients had died. High PLR (>100) was an independent prognostic hematologic marker for CSS (hazard ratio [HR] 2.61, 95% confidence interval [CI],1.08–6.31; P = 0.034). Univariate analysis identified elevated NLR (p = 0.005), and anemia (p = 0.023) were significantly associated with CSS.ConclusionElevated PLR is a strong hematologic prognosis factor in term of survival for patients with nonmetastatic RCC undergoing nephrectomy with curative intent. The PLR is an easily obtained biomarker which is useful for preoperative risk stratification.     

Evaluation methods for pretransplant oncologic markers and their prognostic impacts in patient undergoing living donor liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma

Tumor markers [alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) or des‐gamma‐carboxyprothrombin (DCP)] and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) reportedly correlate with long‐term outcomes for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, no standardized method has been established for evaluating the pretransplant data. One hundred and twenty‐four patients who underwent living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) were retrospectively reviewed. The best predictive parameters for tumor recurrence were maximum values for AFP or DCP and 90‐day mean values for NLR, respectively, and multivariate analysis confirmed these values were correlated with tumor recurrence. However, receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that discriminative powers were sufficient only in maximum AFP [area under the curve (AUC) 0.88, P < 0.001] and maximum DCP (AUC 0.76, P < 0.001), while mean NLR was less predictive (AUC 0.62, P = 0.20). When incorporating AFP and DCP to the Tokyo criteria (≤5 tumors with each tumor ≤5 cm), the presence of at least two of the following factors: (i) beyond the Tokyo criteria, (ii) AFP>250 ng/ml, and (iii) DCP > 450 mAu/ml (>450 ng/ml), was correlated with a worse 5‐year disease‐free survival rate (20.0% vs. 96.8%, P < 0.001) and 5‐year overall survival rate (20.0% vs. 84.0%, P < 0.001). The prognosis of patients undergoing LDLT for HCC strongly relies on maximum AFP or DCP values before transplantation, while the prognostic impact of NLR is limited.     

Preoperative neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio >5 is a prognostic factor for recurrent colorectal cancer

Aim Previous studies have demonstrated that raised preoperative neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is associated with poor prognosis in colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of this study was to assess whether preoperative NLR could predict patients at risk of recurrence of CRC. Method All consecutive patients who underwent surgical resection for CRC over a 2‐year period at our institution were analysed. Demographic data including CRC recurrence were prospectively collected from our institutional cancer database. CRC recurrence was diagnosed on radiological and endoscopic histopathological data. Preoperative NLR was calculated on baseline blood results, with a value >5 being a poor prognostic factor. Parametric survival analysis was used to identify risk factors for CRC recurrence. Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated for gender, CRC stage using Jass score, preoperative NLR and CRC site. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results In all, 297 patients (157 men) underwent CRC resection at a median age of 70 years (range 23–93); 164 patients had colon cancer, 111 rectal cancer and 22 recto‐sigmoid cancer. The distribution by stage of CRC was 30.2% for stage 1, 23.8% for stage 2, 19.5% for stage 3 and 26.5% for stage 4. Over a median follow‐up period of 3.35 (0.1–8) years, 59 (19.8%) patients had recurrent CRC. Multivariate analysis revealed CRC stage (HR 8.69, 95% CI 3.85–19.6, P < 0.0001) and NLR >5 (HR 1.81, 95% CI 1.07–3.07, P = 0.028) to be significant and independent risk factors predictive of recurrent CRC. Conclusion These data suggest that preoperative NLR >5 is predictive of CRC recurrence.     

Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio is related to the severity of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

Objectives. The aim of this study was to assess whether NLR levels are associated with echocardiographic parameters, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, or B- type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Design. Eighty-seven patients with idiopathic DCM were included prospectively from 2009 to 2014. Patients with acute decompensated heart failure and conditions that alter the total or differential white blood cell counts were excluded. Blood samples were collected before echocardiographic investigation on admission. Results. There was a statistically significant correlation between neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and NYHA functional class (r = 0.68, p < 0.001), BNP levels (r = 0.61, p < 0.001) and various echocardiographic parameters. NLR was significantly higher in patients in NYHA functional class III or IV (n = 39) than among those categorized as NYHA class I or II (n = 48), (3.3 ± 1.0 vs 2.1 ± 0.6; p < 0.001). The NLR cutoff value predicting severe chronic HF was 2.25 with 82% sensitivity and 65% specificity (p < 0.001). On multivariate linear regression analysis NLR (p = 0.025), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (p = 0.041) and left atrial volume index (LAVI) (p = 0.001) were found to be independent positive predictors of BNP levels. Conclusion. Neutrophil/Lymphocyte ratio is associated with the severity of chronic heart failure in patients with idiopathic DCM.     

Neutrophil and platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio as new predictors of dropout and recurrence after liver transplantation for hepatocellular cancer

There is increasing evidence that systemic inflammation markers like neutrophil (NLR) and platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratios (PLR) may play a role in the outcome of hepatocellular cancer (HCC). Between January 1994 and March 2012, 181 patients with HCC were registered on the transplant waiting list: 35 (19.3%) patients dropped out during the waiting period and 146 (80.7%) patients underwent liver transplantation (LT). The median follow‐up of this patient cohort was 4.2 years (IQR: 1.8–8.3). On c‐statistics, the last NLR (AUROC = 67.4; P = 0.05) was the best predictor of dropout. The last PLR had an intermediate statistical ability (AUROC = 66.1; P = 0.07) to predict post‐LT tumor recurrence. Patients with a NLR value >5.4 had poor 5‐year intention‐to‐treat (ITT) survival rates (48.2 vs. 64.5%; P = 0.02). Conversely, PLR better stratified patients in relation to tumor‐free survival (TFS) (80.7 vs. 91.6%; P = 0.02). NLR is a good predictor for the risk of dropout, while PLR is a good predictor for the risk of post‐LT recurrence. Use of these markers, which are all available before LT, may represent an additional tool to refine the selection criteria of HCC liver recipients.     

Effects of taking tadalafil 5 mg once daily on erectile function and total testosterone levels in patients with metabolic syndrome

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of tadalafil 5 mg once‐daily treatment on testosterone levels in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) accompanied by the metabolic syndrome. A total of 40 men with metabolic syndrome were evaluated for ED in this study. All the patients received 5 mg tadalafil once a day for 3 months. Erectile function was assessed using the five‐item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire. Serum testosterone, follicle‐stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone levels were also evaluated, and blood samples were taken between 08.00 and 10.00 in the fasting state. All participants have three or more criteria of metabolic syndrome. At the end of 3 months, mean testosterone values and IIEF scores showed an improvement from baseline values (from 3.6 ± 0.5 to 5.2 ± 0.3, from 11.3 ± 1.9 to 19 ± 0.8 respectively). After the treatment, serum LH levels were decreased (from 5.6 ± 0.6 to 4.6 ± 0.5). There was significantly difference in terms of baseline testosterone and luteinising hormone values and IIEF scores (p < .05). Based on our findings, we recommend tadalafil 5 mg once daily in those men with erectile dysfunction especially low testosterone levels accompanied by metabolic syndrome.     

评估应用术前PLR、NLR及AGR预测乳腺癌患者预后的价值

目的探究术前血小板淋巴细胞比值（PLR）、中性粒细胞淋巴细胞比值（NLR）及白蛋白球蛋白比值（AGR）在评估乳腺癌患者预后中的价值。 方法选取2013年1月至2017年12月收治的1184例浸润性乳腺癌女性患者为浸润性乳腺癌组,随机选取仅患乳腺纤维腺瘤的患者279例为乳腺纤维腺瘤组。收集患者一般资料、术后病理资料、血型、术前外周血血小板、中性粒细胞、淋巴细胞数量以及血清白蛋白和球蛋白水平,并计算得出PLR、NLR及AGR。应用受试者功能特征曲线下面积来评估三者预测乳腺癌患者预后的能力。本研究使用SPSS 20.0及MedCalc软件进行统计学分析和绘图,P<0.05代表差异具有统计学意义。 结果浸润性乳腺癌患者的术前PLR及NLR均值显著高于乳腺纤维腺瘤患者（P<0.05）,而AGR低于乳腺纤维腺瘤患者（P<0.05）。Cox比例回归风险分析显示,患者的诊断年龄、PLR、NLR、AGR、肿瘤直径、组织学分级、阳性淋巴结个数和分子分型均为乳腺癌的预后危险因素（P<0.05）。ROC曲线分析结果得出,PLR、NLR及AGR的最佳诊断临界值分别为147.4、2.9及1.7。应用术前PLR（AUC=0.796,P<0.001）、NLR（AUC=0.716,P<0.001）及AGR（AUC=0.748,P<0.001）预测乳腺癌患者预后均有价值,且PLR价值更高。 结论术前PLR、NLR及AGR对乳腺癌患者预后的判断均具价值,三者相比,PLR价值更高,有望成为判断乳腺癌患者预后的补充指标。     

血小板、中性粒细胞、血小板平均体积与淋巴细胞比值在急性深静脉血栓形成诊断中的价值

目的评价血小板/淋巴细胞比值(platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio,PLR)、中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值(neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio,NLR)和血小板平均体积/淋巴细胞比值(mean platelet volumeto-lymphocyte ratio,MPVLR)等指标对急性下肢深静脉血栓形成(deep vein thrombosis,DVT)的诊断价值。方法选取92例急性下肢DVT的患者作为病例组,86名健康体检者作为对照组,通过比较两组的血液相关指标来评价其对急性DVT的诊断价值。结果病例组的白细胞计数、中性粒细胞计数、血小板平均体积(mean platelet volume,MPV)值、PLR值、NLR值和MPVLR值均高于对照组,淋巴细胞计数低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,NLR(OR=9.690,P<0.001)和MPVLR(OR=7.162,P<0.006)是急性下肢DVT发病的独立预测因素。NLR和MPVLR的曲线下面积(area under curve,AUC)值分别为0.871和0.963。NLR对急性DVT诊断的最佳截断值为2.15,灵敏度89.1%,特异度84.9%,MPVLR的最佳截断值为6.88,灵敏度42.4%,特异度84.9%。下肢肿胀天数>7 d组患者的MPVLR水平低于肿胀天数≤7 d组,差异有统计学意义(P=0.025)。结论MPVLR、NLR、MPV对急性下肢DVT有较大的诊断价值。NLR和MPVLR是DVT相关的独立预测因素,MPVLR在急性下肢DVT的早期诊断价值更大。     

Systemic inflammatory response is a predictor of outcome in patients undergoing preoperative chemoradiation for locally advanced rectal cancer

Aim Current management of locally advanced rectal cancer includes neoadjuvant chemoradiation in selected patients to increase the chance of a tumour‐free circumferential resection margin. There is uncertainty over the role of and selection criteria for additional systemic therapy in this group of patients. In this retrospective study we investigate the association between markers of systemic inflammatory response (SIR) and outcome from treatment. Method One hundred and fifteen patients with locally advanced rectal cancer undergoing preoperative chemoradiation had recording of full blood count parameters including neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet/lymphocyte ratios (PLR). Postoperative surgical margins (R status) and pathological stage were documented. Outcome measures were overall survival (OS), time to local recurrence (TTLR) and disease‐free survival (DFS). Cox regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of outcome. Results Only NLR and R status were significant predictors for all outcome measures on univariate and multivariate analysis. Elevated NLR (≥ 5) was associated with decreased OS, [hazard ratio (HR) and 95% CI, 7.0 (2.6–19.2)], decreased TTLR [HR 3.8 (1.3–11.2)] and shorter DFS [HR 4.1 (1.7–9.8)]. Median survival for patients with an elevated NLR was 18.8 months compared with 54.4 months without an elevated NLR (P < 0.001). Conclusion In addition to postoperative R‐status, an elevated NLR is also a valuable prognostic marker in patients undergoing chemoradiation for locally advanced rectal carcinoma. It is associated with worse OS, TTLR and DFS. An elevated NLR may be a useful additional tool in guiding the decision‐making process for adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapies.     

The interaction between inflammation,urinary symptoms and erectile dysfunction in early-stage prostate cancer treated with brachytherapy

Erectile function has been shown to decline as a function of increasing peripheral blood inflammatory markers, namely the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR). We evaluated if the association between NLR and erectile dysfunction (ED) applies to patients with localised prostate cancer. We included 1,282 patients who underwent brachytherapy. ED was classified before treatment according to the Terminology Criteria for Adverse Event Scale version 3.0. ED was defined as the need for the use of oral pharmacologic or mechanical assistance to have satisfactory sexual function. We found that patients with ED were older (p < .001), more likely to have hypertension (p = .002), statin use (p = .002), diabetes (p < .001) or an IPSS ≥ 8 (p < .001). On univariable logistic regression analysis, an NLR of ≥3 was statistically significantly associated with ED (OR 1.32, p = .029). But on multivariable analysis, the association between elevated NLR and ED was not statistically significant (p = .17). Significant were age (OR 1.12, p < .001), IPSS ≥ 8 (OR 1.50, p = .008), the presence of hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes (OR 2.27, p < .001), and prostate volume (OR 0.99, p = .041). The NLR does appear to be a surrogate marker of chronic inflammation that causes baseline ED in patients with localised prostate cancer.     

Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio predicts mortality better than neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in hemodialysis patients

Purpose

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were established showing the poor prognosis in some diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and malignancies. The risk of mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) was higher than normal population. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between NLR, PLR, and all-cause mortality in prevalent hemodialysis (HD) patients.

Methods

Eighty patients were enrolled in study. NLR and PLR obtained by dividing absolute neutrophil to absolute lymphocyte count and absolute platelet count to absolute lymphocyte count, respectively. The patients were followed prospectively for 24 months. The primary end point was all-cause mortality.

Results

Mean levels of neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet were 3904 ± 1543/mm³, 1442 ± 494/mm³, 174 ± 56 × 10³/mm³, respectively. Twenty-one patients died before the follow-up at 24 months. Median NLR and PLR were 2.52 and 130.4, respectively. All-cause mortality was higher in patients with high NLR group compared to the patients with low NLR group (18.8 vs. 7.5 %, p = 0.031) and in patients with higher PLR group compared to patients with lower PLR group (18.8 vs. 7.5 %, p = 0.022). Following adjusted Cox regression analysis, the association of mortality and high NLR was lost (p = 0.54), but the significance of the association of high PLR and mortality increased (p = 0.013).

Conclusion

Although both NLR and PLR were associated with all-cause mortality in prevalent HD patients, only PLR could independently predict all-cause mortality in these populations.

     

Efficacy and safety of long‐term tadalafil 5 mg once daily combined with sildenafil 50 mg as needed at the early stage of treatment for patients with erectile dysfunction

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of long‐term and low‐dose tadalafil combined with sildenafil as needed at the early stage of treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). We enrolled 180 patients with ED 1 : 1 to tadalafil 5 mg once daily or once‐a‐day tadalafil 5 mg combined with sildenafil 50 mg as needed. The efficacy measures included the 5‐item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF‐5) and the Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP). The safety was assessed by observing drug tolerability and adverse events. Total IIEF‐5 scores of patients with severe ED in combined medication group were significantly higher than in tadalafil alone group. Question 2 scores of IIEF‐5 of patients with moderate and severe ED in combined medication group were significantly higher than in tadalafil alone group. The significant improvement in question 3 scores of IIEF‐5 existed only in patients with severe ED receiving combined medication. The percentage of ‘yes’ responses to SEP4, SEP5 and partner's SEP3 were improved significantly in combined medication group. There was no difference between two groups in the incidence of adverse events. Our results suggest that combined medication can better improve erectile function, especially for patients with severe ED.     

Can haematologic parameters be used for differential diagnosis of testicular torsion and epididymitis?

A differential diagnosis of testicular torsion and epididymitis has serious importance for testicular health. In emergency conditions, if testicular torsion goes unnoticed and epididymo‐orchitis is diagnosed, organ loss may occur. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of haematologic parameters for the diagnosis of both testicular torsion and epididymo‐orchitis and for differential diagnosis of these two diseases. Patients were divided into three groups as those undergoing surgery for testicular torsion, those receiving medical treatment for epididymitis and a healthy control group. All patients had complete blood counts taken with determinations of mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and leucocyte counts. These were then compared between groups. Leucocyte, MPV and NLR values were higher in both the epididymitis and torsion groups compared to the controls (p < .001). Platelet counts and PLR were significantly higher in the epididymitis group compared to the other two groups (p < .001). Leucocyte, MPV and NLR values may be used in the diagnosis of epididymitis and testicular torsion. Platelet counts and PLR appear to be useful in differentiating epididymitis from testicular torsion. However, there is a need for prospective studies with larger numbers of patients.     

High neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio predicts worse overall survival in patients with advanced/metastatic urothelial bladder cancer

Objectives

To study the role of the neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio in predicting survival outcomes for patients with advanced bladder cancer.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 150 patients diagnosed with advanced or metastatic bladder cancer between January 2004 and June 2014. The neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio was computed on diagnosis and after the first cycle of chemotherapy. A neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio cut‐off of 3.0 was determined, with a concordance index of 0.89. Kaplan–Meier curves, log–rank tests, Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression models were used to predict the association of the neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio with survival outcomes.

Results

Just five patients were alive at the end of the study; the rest died from metastatic bladder cancer. On multivariate analysis, higher Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group status, lymphadenopathy, visceral metastases and neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio ≥3.0 were associated with poorer overall survival (hazard ratio 1.67, P = 0.03; hazard ratio 1.97, P = <0.01; hazard ratio 2.02, P = <0.01; hazard ratio 5.06, P = <0.01), whereas chemotherapy conferred better overall survival (hazard ratio 0.546, P = 0.01). Furthermore, the role of chemotherapy prolonged survival longer in patients with a neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio <3.0 (median overall survival 13.0 vs 22.0 months, hazard ratio 0.273, P = 0.008) compared with a neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio ≥3.0 (median overall survival 4.0 vs 7.0 months, hazard ratio 0.452, P = 0.020). More importantly, when dichotomized to the four different pre‐ and post‐chemotherapy groups, patients with a pre‐ and post‐chemotherapy neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio <3.0 had the best additional median overall survival of 19.0 months compared with patients with a pre‐ and post‐chemotherapy neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio ≥3.0 (3.0 months).

Conclusions

Elevated neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio is independently associated with poorer chemotherapeutic response and overall survival in patients with advanced or metastatic bladder cancer. The neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio can be an inexpensive novel factor in prognosticating disease progression and providing better patient counseling.     

术前外周血炎性指标联合糖蛋白抗原19-9对结肠癌早期诊断及预后评估的价值

目的探讨术前外周血炎性相关指标中性粒细胞-淋巴细胞计数比值（NLR）、血小板-淋巴细胞计数比值（PLR）联合糖蛋白抗原19-9（CA19-9）对结肠癌早期诊断及预后评估的应用价值。 方法选取2015年5月至2017年3月宜宾市第二人民医院收治的189例结肠癌患者为结肠癌组,另选取同期健康体检志愿者72例为对照组。受试者均进行外周血常规检查并计算NLR及PLR比值,采用电化学发光法检测血清CA19-9水平,受试者工作特征曲线（ROC）分析NLR、PLR、CA19-9对结肠癌的诊断效能。根据NLR、PLR、CA19-9以及联合检测结果分为阳性组与阴性组,采用Kaplan-Meier法分析不同检测指标对结肠癌患者预后评估的应用价值。 结果与对照组相比,结肠癌组患者NLR、PLR比值及CA19-9水平均显著升高（P<0.05）;ROC分析显示NLR曲线下面积（AUC）为0.787,敏感度为62.96%,特异度为79.17%,准确性为67.43%;PLR检测的AUC为0.776,敏感度为65.61%,特异度为76.39%,准确性为68.58%;CA19-9 AUC为0.735,敏感度为61.90%,特异度为84.72%,准确性为68.20%;三项联合检测敏感度为91.01%,特异度为97.22%,准确性为92.72%;Kaplan-Meier分析显示NLR、PLR、CA19-9及联合检测阳性组患者OS均分别显著低于各阴性组（P<0.05）,仅联合检测风险比（HR）最高,HR=2.188（χ²=15.167,P<0.001,95%CI=1.310~3.656）。 结论NLR、PLR联合CA19-9检测可提高临床早期诊断结肠癌的敏感度及准确性,且三项联合检测对结肠癌患者预后评估具有重要指导意义。     

Associations between erectile dysfunction and psychological disorders (depression and anxiety): A cross‐sectional study in a Chinese population

The present cross‐sectional survey was performed to evaluate the prevalences and correlations of depression and anxiety among Chinese erectile dysfunction (ED) men. Between February 2017 and January 2019, male patients with or without ED treated in andrology clinic and urology clinic were enrolled in the investigation. All enrolled patients were required to fill in the International Index of Erectile Function Questionnaire (IIEF‐5), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7‐item scale (GAD‐7) which intended to evaluate the diagnosis and severity of ED, depression and anxiety respectively. Of the 958 included participants, 79.82% (613/768) and 79.56% (611/768) ED patients appeared to have anxiety and depression; 13.68% (26/190) of men without ED had anxiety and depression. In addition, young ED patients (age ≤35 years) and long ED duration patients (duration >12 months) had higher incidences and severities of anxiety and depression (p < .05). After adjusting the age, IIEF‐5 was negatively correlated with PHQ‐9 (adjusted r = ?.653, p < .001) and GAD‐7 scores (adjusted r = ?.607, p < .001). The prevalences of anxiety and depression were 79.82% and 79.56% in Chinese ED patients. The prevalences and severities of anxiety and depression increased as the ED severity increased. Based on the high incidences of anxiety and depression among Chinese ED patients, clinicians are supposed to pay more attention to early diagnosis and therapy of psychiatric symptoms for ED patients, especially among young patients and patients with long ED duration.     

Modified donor lymphocyte infusion‐associated acute graft‐versus‐host disease after haploidentical T‐cell‐replete hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: incidence and risk factors

We performed a study to investigate the profile of donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI)‐associated acute graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) in haploidentical T‐cell‐replete hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). A total of 124 patients receiving modified DLI after haploidentical T‐cell‐replete HSCT were enrolled. The cumulative incidence of DLI‐associated acute GVHD was 53.2% for grades II–IV and 28.4% for grades III–IV. The duration of GVHD prophylaxis after DLI was the only risk factor for DLI‐associated grades III–IV acute GVHD (p < 0.05). The cumulative incidence of grades III–IV acute GVHD in patients with prophylaxis more than six, four to six, two to four, and <2 wk were 9.3%, 14.4%, 31.6%, and 49.5%, respectively (p = 0.018). Furthermore, DLI‐associated grades III–IV acute GVHD was the only risk factor for overall survival (p = 0.038, OR   = 2.869) and transplant‐related mortality (p = 0.018, OR = 3.296) but not a risk factor for relapse after DLI (p = 0.840). This study confirms for the first time that the duration of GVHD prophylaxis after DLI is the only risk factor for the development of grades III–IV acute GVHD. Donor lymphocyte infusion with prophylaxis more than six wk was associated with a lower incidence of grades III–IV acute GVHD.