Comparison of Platelets-to-Lymphocyte and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratios in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis.

OBJECTIVE

To calculate and compare the platelets-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), to be used as a complementary diagnostic tool in patients of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional, comparative study. Place and Duration of the Study: Pak Emirates Military Hospital (PEMH), Rawalpindi, from February to November 2022.

METHODOLOGY

A total of two hundred and ten patients, aged between 25 to 70 years, were included in the study. C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) along with platelets, leukocyte, and neutrophil count were estimated. PLR and NLR were calculated and compared between the groups.

RESULTS

The PLR was significantly high in the RA group (p-value <0.001) followed by AS and control groups. NLR also followed the same trend and was significantly raised in both the disease groups as compared to controls. Pearson correlation depicted significant positive correlation between PLR and ESR (r = 0.43, p <0.001), NLR and ESR (r = 0.34, p <0.001), PLR and CRP (r = 0.15, p = 0.034) and NLR and CRP (r = 0.18, p = 0.018). Logistic regression analysis displayed the diagnostic value of PLR and NLR.

CONCLUSION

Both PLR and NLR are effective as complementary diagnostic indices in RA and AS patients. These may be used in addition to the inflammatory markers ESR and CRP as cost-effective and promptly available indices.

KEY WORDS

Ankylosing spondylitis, Platelets-lymphocyte ratio, Neutrophils-lymphocyte ratio, Rheumatoid arthritis.