Association of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio with the degree ofinterstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Determining the severity of systemic sclerosis related interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) is based on clinical and radiological findings, inflammation marker levels, and carbon monoxide diffusing capacity of the lung (DLCO). Recently studies are ongoing for objective and easy markers. Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is shown to be a good marker for inflammation in recent clinical trials. In this study, we aimed to identify the possible relationship between NLR and carbon monoxide transfer coefficient (KCO) of SSc-ILD patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-nine patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) were enrolled in the study. We used high-resolution computed tomography for diagnosis and used DLCO to evaluate degree of lung involvement. Complete blood cell counts and acute phase reactants were included as laboratory assessments.

RESULTS

NLR values were significantly higher in the SSc-ILD group (3.66 ± 1.32 vs. 2.85 ± 1.12, P = 0.01) and correlated negatively with KCO. The NLR cut-off value was 3.21, its sensitivity was 81%, and its specificity was 81%.

CONCLUSION

NLR level may serve as a marker of lung involvement in the presence of ILD in patients with SSc.