Usefulness of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio to prediction of complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Introduction: Increasing evidences show that the concept of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) as an inflammatory disease has emerged. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in T2DM patients comparing with the other well-known inflammatory markers as C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and fibrinogen. It also investigates usefulness of the NLR to prediction of complications in T2DM. Methods: This study consisted of six patients groups in XXXXXX Hospital between April-October, 2017: It enrolled the laboratory results of 195 subjects of which diabetic group (DM) (n=35), coronary artery disease (CAD) group (n=35), CAD+DM group (n=35), DM+nephropathy (n=30), DM+neuropathy (n=30), DM+retinopathy (n=30), and 40 healthy controls. Results: The mean NLR values were significantly higher in all patients than controls. CAD+DM group has the highest NLR values (4.17 ± 3.85 ) among the groups. There was no significant difference between the DM+nephropathy, DM+neuropathy, and DM+retinopathy. The mean NLR values were significantly higher in CAD+ DM group than DM+nephropathy, DM+neuropathy, and DM+retinopathy (for each comparison p<0.01) . There was no statistically significant difference in the mean NLR values between CAD group and CAD+DM group. Conclusion: Results of study demonstrate a possible association of subclinical inflammation with the development of complications in T2DM. NLR is independently associated with other well-known inflammatory markers as CRP, ESR and fibrinogen, inflammation in development of complications in T2DM. NLR values in prediction of complications in T2DM are a useful parameter. During complications of T2DM, NLR may be useful used as an easily measurable, noninvasive, available and cost-effective parameter in clinical practice.