Abstract
The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has received much attention in recent decades and has been a novel inflammatory marker. NLR has been applied in predicting the prognosis of malignancies, mortality, and chronic diseases. Additionally, hypertension, defined as systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mm Hg, a previous diagnosis of hypertension, and taking any antihypertensive drug, has been one of the most common chronic diseases in Asia and is currently the most important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases worldwide. Thus, we aimed to investigate the correlation between NLR and prevalent hypertension in the Taiwanese population. From the data of routine health checkups at the General Health Promotion Center in the Tri-Service General Hospital (TSGH), a total of 6278 participants were included. The NLR value was divided into tertiles. The Cox regression model revealed that the highest NLR group tended to be hypertensive (HR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.03–1.59) after adjustment. Individuals were also divided into age-specific, BMI-specific, or sex-specific groups; compared with the lowest NLR group, elderly individuals in the highest tertile of NLR were relatively likely to be hypertensive after covariate adjustment (HR = 1.88, 95% CI 1.19–2.96). Furthermore, a male group aged more than 60 years was reported to have a significant association with hypertension (HR = 1.84, 95% CI 1.06–3.18). However, there was no significant difference in the BMI-based stratified groups, even after adjustment. Our research revealed a significant association between the NLR and incident hypertension, especially in elderly or male Taiwanese individuals.
Highlights
In previous studies, inflammatory and oxidative factors, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and red blood cell distribution, have been thought to be related to cardiovascular disease [1, 2]
The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been applied in predicting the prognosis of malignancies, and patients with higher NLR had better outcomes than those without [5]
Previous studies have indicated that compared with the lowest NLR group, the middle and highest tertiles of NLR seems to be related to hypertension [1]
Summary
Inflammatory and oxidative factors, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and red blood cell distribution, have been thought to be related to cardiovascular disease [1, 2]. We would like to find a relative cost-effect screening tool to screen individuals with chronic diseases, such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, etc. Patients usually receive a series of biochemistry and blood profiles, including white blood cell (WBC) differential count. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has received much attention in recent decades and has been a novel inflammatory and oxidative stress marker. The NLR comprises two immune pathways that are related to the oxidative response and the angiotensin II-mediated hypertensive response [3, 4]. The NLR has been applied in predicting the prognosis of malignancies, and patients with higher NLR had better outcomes than those without [5]
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