Can neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio be a non-invasive indicator of the presence of duodenal ulcer related in dyspeptic patients?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a novel inflammatory marker, has been shown to increase in various systemic inflammatory conditions. In this way, we want to evaluate the relationship between the presence of , duodenal ulcer related and NLR in dyspeptic patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The patients were divided into three groups after evaluating of the EGD and histopathology results. The groups were determined as follow; Group A: positive and DU negative, Group B: positive and DU positive, Group C: negative and DU negative. Then, groups were compared with each other for demographic features, laboratory tests and NLR.

RESULTS

There were significant differences between groups for NLR when groups compared with each other. Significantly high NLR was seen in group A ( positive, DU negative) and group B ( positive, DU positive) when compared with group C ( negative, DU negative) (respectively p < 0.042, p < 0.001). Significantly higher NLR was determined in the group B when compared with group A and group C (respectively p < 0.021, p < 0.001). The cut-off value for NLR was 2,17 with a specificity of 61% and sensitivity of 66% for group B comparing with Group C (AUC:0,66).

CONCLUSIONS

Significantly higher NLR was determined in patients with and DU. As a result, NLR may be used as a non-invasive test for documenting the presence of and related DU.