Neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio as a diagnostic marker for predicting early-stage diabetic nephropathy in patients attending a tertiary health-care center

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common metabolic disorder leading to microvascular and macrovascular complications. Chronic inflammation accelerates the development of complications associated with DM. Measurement of inflammatory mediators is not practically feasible. Neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) serves as a cheap, reliable, and valid marker for assessing inflammatory activity. Aims and Objectives: (i) To evaluate the correlation of NLR and microalbuminuria in DM patients; (ii) to evaluate the correlation of NLR with HbA1c; and (iii) to evaluate the correlation of platelet count with microalbuminuria. Materials and Methods: One hundred patients of either sex with DM were evaluated for microalbuminuria, NLR, HbA1c, and platelet count after obtaining institutional human ethics committee clearance. NLR was evaluated for correlation with microalbuminuria and HbA1c. Platelet count was also evaluated for correlation with microalbuminuria. Results: Mean NLR of male patient was 2.1 and female was 2.33. The mean microalbuminuria level in male patient was 527.03 mcg/mg of creatinine and female was 215.36 mcg/mg of creatinine. There was a moderate degree of correlation of microalbuminuria with increased NLR. The study showed a strong correlation between NLR, microalbuminuria, HbA1c, and platelet count. Conclusion: NLR has a strong correlation with microalbuminuria and could be used to assess the onset and progression of diabetic nephropathy.