Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio as a Predictor of Glucocorticoid Effectiveness in Covid-19 Treatment

Abstract

Glucocorticoids have been shown to improve outcomes of patients with severe cases of Covid-19. However, criteria for prescribing glucocorticoids are currently limited. To identify potential for targeting, we perform an observational analysis of mortality of hospitalized patients. Our results agree with current clinical understanding that glucocorticoids benefit patients with severe cases of Covid-19, and that elevated Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) is associated with mortality. Furthermore, our results suggest that glucocorticoids could be targeted to patients with elevated NLR (especially in the range 6-25) at time of admission. Finally, we note there are also high-risk patients with low NLR, suggesting varying presentations of severe Covid-19.