Assessment of systemic inflammation with neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in lichen planus

Abstract

IntroductionLichen planus (LP) is a papulosquamous eruption of the skin and mucous membranes. Although the exact pathogenesis of the disease remains unclear, it is believed that LP represents an inflammatory disorder. Neutrophil-lymphocyte (N/L) ratio is considered a systemic inflammatory marker that correlated with severity of the diseases.AimTo investigate whether N/L ratio increases in LP and may be an independent severity marker for LP lesions.Material and methodsWhite blood cell (WBC), neutrophil and lymphocyte counts, N/L ratio, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were statistically compared between the patient (n = 55) and the control group (n = 48). The relationship of N/L ratio and the body surface area (BSA) was assessed.ResultsErythrocyte sedimentation rate and CRP were statistically higher in patients with LP than in controls (p < 0.0001). Our analysis revealed a significantly higher level of N/L ratio in patients with LP compared with controls, respectively (2.5 ±1.1 (1.2–7.3) vs. 1.4 ±0.4 (0.8–2.7), p < 0.0001). Body surface area (p = 0.001), CRP (p = 0.006), and ESR (p = 0.003) were identified as possible predictors of N/L ratio, but only BSA (p = 0.002) and ESR (p = 0.003) were found as significant independent predictors in a multiple linear regression model.ConclusionsThe inflammatory process in LP was supported by our results. N/L ratio may have an impact to show the inflammatory status in patients with LP as an inexpensive, simple and effective predictor. It may be used for the severity and treatment option of LP. But, N/L ratio and LP relationship could be confirmed by other large prospective studies.

Investigation of monocyte HDL ratio as an indicator of inflammation and complete blood count parameters in patients with acne vulgaris

“…Zaragoza et al 20 reported that an increasing initial NLR value may be independently associated with specific mortality in Merkel cell carcinoma. Atas et al 21 found that ESR, CRP and NLR were statistically higher in patients with lichen planus when compared with the controls. Karabay et al 22 compared the CRP, MHR and CBC parameters in the psoriasis and control group and observed statistically significantly higher CRP, MHR, NLR and MLR values in the psoriasis group compared to the control group.…”

Investigation of the relationship between inflammatory blood parameters and rosacea and demodex infestation

“…Zaragoza et al reported that an increased initial NLR value in Merkel cell carcinoma may be independently associated with specific mortality . Atas et al found that ESR, CRP, and NLR were statistically higher in patients with lichen planus compared with controls …”

The Association Between Low Grade Systemic Inflammation and Skin Diseases: A Cross-sectional Survey in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966

“…The relationship has, to date, only been investigated in a disease-specific manner, most comprehensively among psoriasis patients (7,11,12): an extensive meta-analysis of data from such studies has shown that CRP levels are elevated in patients with psoriasis compared with healthy subjects (7). Studies with limited sample size have showed that low grade inflammation is also present in chronic urticaria (n = 58) (13), lichen ruber planus (n = 55) (14) and rosacea (n = 60) (15). Recent studies have demonstrated that children and young adults with atopic eczema or allergic sensitization have elevated CRP levels (16)(17)(18).…”