Is NeutrophilLymphocyte Ratio Associated with Subclinical Inflammation and Amyloidosis in Patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever?

Abstract EN

The purpose of the present study is to determine the association between neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and both subclinical inflammation and amyloidosis in familial Mediterranean fever.

Methods.

Ninety-four patients with familial Mediterranean fever and 60 healthy volunteers were included in the study.

Of the patients, 12 had familial Mediterranean fever related amyloidosis.

The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio of the patients was obtained from the hematology laboratory archive.

Results.

The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio was significantly higher among persons with familial Mediterranean fever compared to healthy individuals (P<0.0001).

Also, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio was significantly higher in patients with amyloidosis than in amyloidosis-free patients (P<0.0001).

Since NLR was evaluated in nonamyloid and amyloid stages of the same patient population (type 1 phenotype), we obtained significant statistical differences (1.95±0.30 versus 2.64±0.48, P<0.05, resp.).

With the cutoff value of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio >2.21 and AUC = 0.734 (P=0.009), it was a reliable marker in predicting the development of amyloidosis.

Conclusion.

The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, an emerging marker of inflammation, is higher in patients with familial Mediterranean fever in attack-free periods.

The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio may be a useful marker in predicting the development of amyloidosis.