Evaluation of eosinophil-to-lymphocyte ratio before and after immunotherapy in pediatric allergic rhinitis patients

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to calculate the eosinophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (ELR) before and after the treatment with subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) and to investigate if ELR decreases after the treatment. The results will support our hypothesis of using the ELR as a diagnostic and prognostic parameter in allergic rhinitis (AR) patients. Study Design: This study was planned and performed as a case–control study. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, we have collected the data from 68 pediatric patients (aged between 9 and 18 years) who have been treated with 4-year SCIT and whose skin prick test was negative after treatment of AR. ELRs were compared based on the hemogram results before SCIT and approximately 4 years later. Patients who have the inflammatory disease were eliminated from the study since lymphocytes were increased in the blood biochemistry tests. Results: When the eosinophil counts were compared before and after the immunotherapy, it was observed that the eosinophil ratios were decreased from 7.14 ± 4.63 to 4.55 ± 2.98; (P = 0.000) after treatment. Lymphocyte count also decreased from 34.8 ± 10.3 to 32.9 ± 8.3 (P = 0.091). After SCIT, ELRs were significantly lower (P < 0.001). While the mean ± standard deviation (SD) value of ELR was 0.18 (0–0.66) before the treatment, the mean ± SD value after SCIT was 0.11 (0.01–0.67). Total immunoglobulin E decreased from 96.9 ± 10 to 82 ± 11, which was not statistically significant (P = 0.058). Conclusion: A statistically significant decrease in ELR was observed in patients whose skin prick test was negative after immunotherapy. ELR would be as valuable as a skin prick test for diagnostic and prognostic purposes.