Elevated levels of Monocyte-lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet-lymphocyte Ratio in adolescents with Non-suicidal Self-injury

Abstract

Background:Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are blood indicators of systemic inflammation. This study aims to compare the levels of inflammatory indicators derived from blood routine tests between adolescents with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and those with non-NSSI.Methods：A total of 201 adolescents with mood or emotional disorders were enrolled in this study, among which 106 had engaged in NSSI and 95 had never engaged in NSSI. NLR, MLR, and PLR were calculated based on the complete blood cell count. Results：There was no significant difference in demographic data between the two groups. The NSSI group exhibited significantly higher MLR (P < 0.001) and PLR (P = 0.001) than the non-NSSI group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that MLR (OR 1.545, 95%CI [1.087-2.281], P = 0.021) and PLR (OR 1.327, 95%CI [1.215-1.450], P < 0.001) were independent predictors of NSSI. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses demonstrated that for predicting NSSI, the optimal cut-off value of MLR was 0.135 and the area under curve was 0.638 ([0.561- 0.715], P < 0.001), with a sensitivity of 90.60% and a specificity of 33.70%; the optimal cut-off value of PLR was 127.505 and the area under curve was of 0.611 ([0.533-0.689], P < 0.001), with a sensitivity of 39.60% and a specificity of 81.10%.Conclusions:Systemic inflammation, as indicated by MLR and PLR, is elevated in adolescents with NSSI. MLR and PLR might serve as potential biomarkers in the assessment of NSSI in adolescents.