The value of the neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio and platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio as complementary diagnostic tools in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis: A multicenter retrospective study

BackgroundThe neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR) have drawn attention in recent years as novel non‐specific inflammatory markers; however, only a few studies have been conducted to investigate their value in RA.ObjectiveTo investigate the value of the neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR) as complementary diagnostic tools in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodThis study included 1009 patients with RA, 170 patients with other rheumatic diseases, and 245 healthy individuals from four medical centers. The patients'' general data, including complete blood count, C‐reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and rheumatoid factor (RF), were retrospectively analyzed, and the NLR and PLR were calculated. Potential effective indicators were screened by logistic regression analysis, and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to evaluate their diagnostic value for RA.Results(a) The NLR and PLR were significantly higher in the RA group than in the non‐RA group and the control group (P < .05). (b) Spearman''s Rho showed that the NLR was positively correlated with the PLR (r = .584, P < .05), RF (r = .167, P < .01), and CRP (r = .280, P < .01) but was not significantly correlated with ESR (r = .100, P > .05). The PLR was positively correlated with RF (r = .139, P < .01), CRP (r = .297, P < .01), and ESR (r = .262, P < .05). (c) Logistic analysis showed that RF, CRP, ESR, and the NLR had diagnostic value for RA. (d) For the NLR, the area under the curve (AUC) of the ROC curve was 0.831; at the cutoff value of 2.13, the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and Youden index were 76.7%, 75.9%, 76.4%, and 0.5424, respectively.ConclusionThe NLR was less effective than CRP and RF but was superior to ESR in the diagnosis of RA. The NLR can thus be used as a complementary diagnostic indicator in the diagnosis of RA.     

The neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio as a marker of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and its exacerbations: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Introduction

The main white blood cell populations, neutrophils and lymphocytes, are involved in the pathophysiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of studies investigating the relationship between the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR, a marker of subclinical inflammation), presence of COPD, and its exacerbations.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was conducted in Pubmed, Web of Science and Scopus databases; two investigators independently reviewed suitable studies.

Results

Nine studies, from 247 initially identified, were included in the meta‐analysis. Seven studies, in 775 COPD patients with stable disease and 496 healthy controls, showed a significant increase in NLR values in stable COPD (standardised mean difference, SMD, 0.773, 95% CI 0.410‐1.136; P < 0.001). Furthermore, in six studies in 527 COPD patients with acute exacerbation and 620 COPD patients with stable disease, NLR values were significantly higher in patients with exacerbations (random effects SMD 0.850, 95% CI 0.549‐1.151; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Our meta‐analysis showed that NLR values are significantly higher in stable COPD patients when compared to healthy individuals, although the magnitude of the difference is reduced after trim and fill adjustment, and in patients with COPD exacerbations when compared to patients with stable disease. Further studies, in larger cohorts, are needed to confirm whether the NLR is a useful tool in discriminating between COPD patients with stable disease, those with acute exacerbations, and subjects without the disease.     

Neutrophil percentage‐to‐albumin ratio and monocyte‐to‐lymphocyte ratio as predictors of free‐wall rupture in patients with acute myocardial infarction

BackgroundsFree‐wall rupture (FWR) has a high mortality rate. We aimed to find sensitive predictive indicators to identify high‐risk FWR patients by exploring the predictive values of neutrophil percentage‐to‐albumin ratio (NPAR) and monocyte‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (MLR) on patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).Methods76 FWR patients with AMI were collected, and then 228 non‐CR patients with AMI were randomly selected (1:3 ratio) in this retrospective study. The independent influencing factors of FWR were evaluated by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. The receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was applied to evaluate the predictive value of NPAR and MLR for FWR.ResultsAccording to the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis, emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (OR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.094–0.751, p = 0.012), angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) treatment (OR = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.044–0.659, p = 0.010), NPAR (OR = 2.69, 95% CI: 1.031–7.044, p = 0.043), and MLR (OR = 5.99, 95% CI: 2.09–17.168, p = 0.001) were the influencing factors of the FWR patients with AMI, independently. Additionally, the NPAR and MLR were the predictors of FWR patients, with AUC of 0.811 and 0.778, respectively (both p < 0.001).ConclusionsIn summary, the emergency PCI and ACEI/ARB treatment were independent protective factors for FWR patients with AMI, while the increase of MLR and NPAR were independent risk factors. What''s more, NPAR and MLR are good indicators for predicting FWR.     

中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比率联合血小板/淋巴细胞比率检测对于重症急性胰腺炎早期预测价值

目的:评估中性粒细胞／淋巴细胞比率（Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio,NLR）联合血小板/淋巴细胞比率（platelet to lymphocyteratio,PLR）检测(NLR-PLR)对于重症急性胰腺炎(severe acute pancreatitis,SAP)早期预测价值。方法:连续性收集2019年1月至2019年12月北京大学人民医院急诊科符合急性胰腺炎（acute pancreatitis, AP）诊断标准的216例患者。按病情严重程度分为轻症急性胰腺炎组（mild acute pancreatitis,MAP）(86例)、中度重症急性胰腺炎组（moderately severe acute pancreatitis,MSAP）(40例)及SAP组(90例)三组。所有患者均于发病48 h内采集外周血样进行分析,检测白细胞计数（WBC）、中性粒细胞计数(NEUT)、淋巴细胞计数(LYM)、血红蛋白(HGB)、血小板计数(PLT)、总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、高密度脂蛋白(HDL)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL)、血清肌酐(CR)、血糖(GLU)等实验室指标,同时完善CT影像学等检查,分别计算NLR和PLR,比较NLR和PLR在三组中是否具有统计学意义。比较NLR、PLR和APACHEⅡ评分及Ranson评分的相关性。同时绘制受试者工作特征曲线(ROC曲线)计算NLR和PLR的最佳阈值,分别依据NLR和PLR的最佳阈值,计算NLR-PLR,同时绘制ROC曲线研究NLR-PLR对于SAP的预测价值。结果:NLR [OR=1.071,95% CI（1.025,1.120）, P=0.002]和PLR[OR=1.003,95% CI（1.000,1.244）, P=0.044]是早期重症胰腺炎的危险因素。NLR与Ranson评分呈正相关（r=0.0342, P<0.05）;NLR与APACHEⅡ评分呈正相关（r=0.0210, P=0.003）;PLR与Ranson评分呈正相关（r=0.0218, P=0.002）;PLR与APACHEⅡ评分呈无相关性（ P=0.157）。NLR和PLR的ROC曲线下面积（AUC）分别为0.894和0.728。NLR的最佳阈值为6.105,敏感度为92.9%,特异度为76.1%,PLR的最佳阈值为154.358,敏感度为78.2%,特异度为73.2%。依据最佳阈值,计算NLR-PLR(NLR≥6.105且PLR≥154.358）,比较NLR-PLR、NLR(≥6.105)和PLR（≥154.358）的ROC曲线下面积,其中NLR-PLR曲线下面积最大,为0.864。 结论:NLR和PLR在AP发病48 h内对SAP患者病情的具有预测价值,NLR-PLR联合检测对于SAP具有早期预测价值。     

Distribution and reference interval establishment of neutral‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte‐to‐monocyte ratio (LMR), and platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in Chinese healthy adults

BackgroundNeutral‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte‐to‐monocyte ratio (LMR), and platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) and many diseases, but there are few data about the reference interval (RI) of NLR, LMR, and PLR.MethodsThe neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, monocyte count, and platelet count of 404,272 Chinese healthy adults (>18 years old) were measured by Sysmex XE‐2100 automatic hematology analyzer, and NLR, LMR, and PLR were calculated. According to CLSI C28‐A3, the nonparametric 95% percentile interval is defined as the reference interval.ResultsThe results of Mann‐Whitney U test showed that NLR (p < .001) in male was significantly higher than that in female; LMR (p < .001) and PLR (p < .001) in male were significantly lower than that in female. Kruskal‐Wallis H test showed that there were significant differences in NLR, LMR, and PLR among different genders and age groups (p < .001). The linear graph showed that the reference upper limit of NLR and PLR increased with age and the reference upper limit of LMR decreases with age in male population. In female population, the reference upper limit of NLR in 50–59 group, LMR in >80 group, and PLR in 70–79 group appeared a trough; the reference upper limit of NLR in >80 group, LMR in 50–59 group, and PLR in 40–49 group appeared peak.ConclusionThe establishment of RI for NLR, LMR, and PLR in Chinese healthy adults according to gender and age will promote the standardization of clinical application.     

NLR联合MLR在非ST段抬高型心肌梗死危险分层中的预测价值

目的探讨中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比率(NLR)联合单核细胞/淋巴细胞比率(MLR)在非ST段抬高型心肌梗死(NSTEMI)危险分层中的价值。方法纳入2013年6月至2014年12月于第三军医大学附属新桥医院行冠状动脉照影的患者288例,分为对照组(110例),稳定性心绞痛(SAP)组(66例)和NSTEMI组(112例),对NSTEMI组患者计算GRACE评分,并根据GRACE评分分为低危组和中高危组。收集所有受试者的血常规指标并计算NLR、MLR。结果 NSTEMI组的NLR、MLR明显高于对照组和SAP组(P0.01)。Spearman相关分析表明NLR、MLR与GRACE评分呈正相关(r=0.342,P0.01;r=0.398,P0.01);中高危组比低危组的NLR(P0.01)、MLR(P0.01)高。通过受试者工作曲线(ROC)分析,预测NSTEMI危险分层的ROC曲线下面积(AUC)分别是NLR的AUC为0.747(95%CI:0.656~0.837,P0.01);MLR的AUC为0.765(95%CI:0.677~0.852,P0.01);NLR联合MLR的AUC为0.778(95%CI:0.693~0.863,P0.01)。结论NLR、MLR与GRACE评分呈正相关,NLR联合MLR对NSTEMI患者的危险分层有一定的预测价值。     

Correlation between the platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio and diabetic foot ulcer in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between the platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).MethodFrom January 2018 to August 2019, 206 patients with T2DM admitted to the Central Hospital of Wuhan, China, were enrolled in this study, including 104 patients with DFU (DFU group) and 102 patients without DFU (T2DM group). During the same period, 90 healthy subjects were randomly screened as normal controls (NC group). The correlation between PLR and DFU in patients with T2DM was explored by comparing the PLR of the subjects in the three groups.ResultsThe PLRs of the DFU and T2DM groups were higher than that of the NC group, whereas the PLR of the DFU group was higher than that of the T2DM group (p < 0.05). PLR was positively correlated with the Wagner DFU grade (p < 0.001). Based on logistic regression analysis, PLR was found to be an independent risk factor for DFU (OR =1.029, 95% CI: 1.019 ~ 1.039, p < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of the PLR showed that the area under the curve of the PLR for predicting diabetic foot ulcer was 0.776 (p < 0.001), and the analysis determined that the optimal critical value of the PLR for predicting DFU was 147.6.ConclusionThe PLR is significantly elevated in patients with DFU and positively correlated with the Wagner DFU grade, which might be a valuable marker for early diagnosis and assessment of severity of DFU.     

Diagnostic performances of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and lymphocyte to monocyte ratio in acute ischemic stroke caused by cervicocranial arterial dissection

BackgroundInflammation plays an important role in the initiation and progression of cervicocranial arterial dissection (CCAD). New inflammatory indices derived from full cell blood count may be associated with increased risk of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) caused by CCAD. The goal of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic performances of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR) in CCAD.MethodWe retrospectively analyzed 52 patients with AIS caused by CCAD from emergency room (group I), 51 patients with CCAD from emergency room or clinic(group II) and 52 controls (group III), age and sex matched. Data were collected on the admission including NLR and LMR.ResultsNeutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and LMR have significant differences among three groups, especially in group I vs both groups II and III (P < .001). There was a negative correlation between admission NLR and LMR. Low LMR level and high NLR level may be associated with severity of AIS caused by CCAD and significantly predict AIS in CCAD. The area under the curve of NLR and LMR were 0.77 and 0.71, respectively, on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The optimal cutoff values of NLR and LMR that best discriminated AIS were 2.35 (81% sensitivity and 63% specificity) and 3.67 (64% sensitivity and 77% specificity).ConclusionsNeutrophil to lymphocyte ratio neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and LMR may contribute to the diagnostic evaluation and prompt immediate therapy in patients with CCAD.