Alterations in neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio: An inexpensive, reproducible prognostic marker in patients with complicated liver cirrhosis

Abstract

Introduction: Liver cirrhosis is generally known as an endstage process where healthy normal liver tissue is replaced by connective tissue. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an inexpensive, readily available and reproducible test and has emerged as a marker of systemic inflammatory response. Aim: Our study aimed to evaluate the prognostic utility of increased NLR (>3) for patients with liver cirrhosis admitted to hospital due to infection, variceal bleeding or any other cause. Patients and methods: A total of one hundred twenty cirrhotic patients, who were admitted to the hospital for reasons other than bleeding or sepsis, due to an underlying infection or because of variceal bleeding, were included in the study. Demographic data and laboratory findings were obtained from the patients’ medical record registry and NLR was calculated as the ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes in the complete blood count on the day of admission. Results: A statistically significant correlation between NLR and patients’ outcome as well as MELD score was reported in the present study. Conclusions: Herein we show the value of NLR ratio in the prognosis of cirrhotic patients after hospital admission