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Does neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predict active ulcerative colitis?

Sagt der Neutrophilen/Lymphozyten Quotient die Aktivität einer Colitis ulcerosa voraus?

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Summary

Background

Inflammatory markers have been studied in ulcerative colitis (UC) for diagnosis, disease activity, and prediction of relapse. Blood neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (N/L) ratio has been used to determine outcomes of some malignancies and coronary artery disease. Blood N/L ratio is a simple sign of clinical inflammation. In this study, we examined N/L ratio in recurrent patients suffering from UC.

Methods

The aim of the present study was to analyze N/L ratios in serum samples of UC patients in remission and active phases. Patients’ age, extend of the disease, disease duration, disease activity, drug, and other medical history were all noted for patients. C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and complete blood count were determined for patients.

Results

Forty-nine UC patients were admitted into the present study. The blood N/L ratios were significantly increased in active phase compared with inactive UC patients (p < 0.05). The cut-off value for N/L ratio for the detection of active UC patients was calculated as ≥ 2.3 using receiver operating characteristic analysis [sensitivity: 61.2 %, specificity: 66.7 %, AUC: 0.650 (0.540–0.760), p = 0.01].

Conclusions

Present study shows that in patients with UC, the blood N/L ratio is associated with active disease. N/L ratio may be used as an activity parameter in UC.

Zusammenfassung

Grundlagen

Entzündungsmarker sind hinsichtlich ihrer Brauchbarkeit für die Diagnose, die Krankheitsaktivität und die Vorhersage eines Rezidivs der Colitis ulcerosa (CU) untersucht worden. Der Neutrophilen/Lymphozyten (N/L) Quotient im Blut ist ein einfaches Zeichen einer klinischen Entzündung. Er ist zur Abschätzung der Prognose mancher maligner Erkrankungen und der koronaren Herzkrankheit zum Einsatz gekommen. In der vorliegenden Studie haben wir die N/L Quotienten bei Patienten mit CU in der Aktiven Phase und in Remission untersucht.

Methodik

Es wurden 49 Patienten mit CU in die Studie aufgenommen. Das Alter der Patienten, das Ausmaß, die Dauer und die Aktivität der Erkrankung, sowie die Anamnese inklusive der Medikamentenanamnese wurden bei allen Patienten erhoben. Das C reaktive Protein, die Blutsendkung und das komplette Blutbild wurden bestimmt.

Ergebnisse

Die N/L Quotienten im Blut waren bei den Patienten in der aktiven Phase im Vergleich zu den Patienten mit einer CU in Remission erhöht (p < 0,05). Der Grenzwert für die Erkennung einer aktiven Phase der CU wurde mit > 2,3 errechnet. Die ROC Analyse ergab eine Sensitivität von 61,2 %, eine Spezifizität von: 66,7 %, sowie eine AUC: 0,650 (0,540–0,760), p = 0,01.

Schlussfolgerungen

Die vorliegende Studie zeigt, dass der N/L Quotient bei Patienten mit einer CU mit der Aktivität der Erkrankung im Zusammenhang steht. Der N/L Quotient kann bei der CU als Aktivitätsparameter eingesetzt werden.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Gastroenterology, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Golkoy, 14280, Bolu, Turkey

    Emrah Posul MD &  Mevlut Kurt MD

  2. Department of Gastroenterology, Bolu Izzet Baysal State Hospital, Bolu, Turkey

    Bulent Yilmaz MD

  3. Faculty of Medicine, Internal Medicine, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey

    Gulali Aktas MD

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  1. Emrah Posul MD
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  2. Bulent Yilmaz MD
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  3. Gulali Aktas MD
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  4. Mevlut Kurt MD
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Correspondence to Mevlut Kurt MD.

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Posul, E., Yilmaz, B., Aktas, G. et al. Does neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predict active ulcerative colitis?. Wien Klin Wochenschr 127, 262–265 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-014-0683-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-014-0683-5

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