Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratio as biomarkers in Crohn's disease

Résumé

Purpose The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are potential markers of inflammation in Crohn's disease (CD). This study aimed to investigate the role of these two indices in the diagnosis and assessment of relapse in CD.

Methods This was a prospective study involving 56 controls and 56 patients with CD, 32 of whom were in relapse. The data collected included clinical characteristics, a blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C reactive protein (CRP) in all patients, and an assessment of the relapse in the cases. Statistical analysis of the relationship of NLR and PLR with other markers of inflammation and relapse was performed.

Results: The mean age was 37.8 years [16-59] with a sex ratio of 1.55. There was a significant difference in NLR (p=0.049) and PLR (p<0.001) between the two groups. There was a significant correlation between CRP and NLR (p=0.002) and also with PLR (r=0.234, p=0.01), The correlation between NLR and total white blood cell count was significant p<0.0001. In the ROC curve analysis, the PLR cut-off =144.32 (sensitivity 67%, specificity 76%) for the NLR cut-off =2.37 (sensitivity 62%, specificity 75%). On the other hand, the NLR and PLR were significantly higher in patients in relapse, but without any significant difference.

Conclusion: NLR and PLR are good discriminatory markers between cases and controls; they are elevated in relapse patients but not significantly.