Assessment of Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio in Systemic Sclerosis Patients in Tanta University Hospital: A Promising Marker in Predicting Disease Severity

Abstract

Introduction: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem autoimmune disease, with complex pathogenesis resulting inobliterative vasculopathy, tissue injury, fibrosis, remodeling and atrophy. The neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) wasdeveloped to provide easily measurable and readily available parameter reflecting the intensity of stress and systemicinflammation in critically ill patients following shock, multiple traumas, major surgery, or sepsis. Aim of the work: toevaluate NLR levels in patients with SSc and explore their clinical significance and their association with different organmanifestations. Results: There was a significant increase in NLR in SSc patients who had cardiovascular or cardiorespiratory affection. Also NLR showed a significant positive correlation with both CRP and ESR, while it showed a significant negative correlation with serum albumin. Conclusion: NLR may serve as a promising marker for cardiorespiratory involvement in SSc patients. [Egypt J Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, 2016; 4(1): 43-47]