Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio are associated with disease activity in polymyalgia rheumatica.

BACKGROUND

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) are indicators of systemic inflammation and are useful as markers in systemic rheumatic diseases. In this study, we compared the NLR, PLR, and MLR among patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and explored possible associations with clinical features, disease activity, and prognosis in patients with PMR.

METHODS

The study enrolled 94 patients with PMR and 242 patients with RA who were initially diagnosed at the rheumatology clinic of a university-based tertiary hospital. Symptoms, physical examination, and medical histories were collected with the results of laboratory tests.

RESULTS

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (4.5 ± 3.3 vs 2.8 ± 1.8), PLR (222.7 ± 115.5 vs 159.7 ± 78.1), and MLR (0.4 ± 0.3 vs 0.3 ± 0.2) were higher in patients with PMR compared with patients with RA (all P < .001). NLR, PLR, and MLR were correlated with specific laboratory values, including CRP and albumin, in patients with PMR. After disease activity resolved, NLR (2.95 ± 2.32, P < .001), PLR (137.5 ± 82.3, P < .001), and MLR (0.26 ± 0.16, P < .001) decreased significantly. By comparing patients according to the disease course, swollen joint counts were higher in the chronic course group compared with the remission group (P = .03), while the NLR, PLR, and MLR were similar.

CONCLUSIONS

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio levels were associated with disease activity and specific clinical features, although they could not predict prognosis in patients with PMR.