Korean J Ophthalmol.  2016 Oct;30(5):377-381. 10.3341/kjo.2016.30.5.377.

The Relationship between Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte Ratio and Age-related Macular Degeneration

• Kurtul BE
• Ozer PA

• KMID: 2353831
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.2016.30.5.377

Abstract

PURPOSE
To investigate the possible associations of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level with age-related macular degeneration (ARMD).
METHODS
Patients were divided to three groups of 40 patients with non-neovascular ARMD (group 1), 40 patients with neovascular ARMD (group 2), and 40 healthy control subjects (group 3). The neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were evaluated using an ABX Pentra DF120/USA biochemical analyzer, and hs-CRP levels were measured using a Beckman Coulter Immage 800. The NLR was measured by dividing neutrophil count by lymphocyte count.
RESULTS
The patients in group 2 were older and more often diabetic than the patients in groups 1 and 3 (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). The NLR level was 1.65 ± 0.71 in group 1, 1.98 ± 0.84 in group 2, and 1.46 ± 0.44 in group 3. The hs-CRP value was 1.98 ± 0.251 mg/L in group 1, 3.242 ± 0.211 mg/L in group 2, and 1.145 ± 0.193 mg/L in group 3. Both NLR and hs-CRP values were significantly higher in group 2 compared to group 3 (p = 0.002 and p = 0.002, respectively). In multivariate analysis, NLR remained an independent predictor of neovascular ARMD (odds ratio, 3.882; 95% confidence interval, 1.574 to 9.576; p = 0.003) together with age (p < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (p = 0.041), and hs-CRP (p = 0.018).
CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggests that increased NLR value is independently associated with neovascular ARMD.

Keyword

Age-related macular degeneration; C-reactive protein; Inflammation; Lymphocytes; Neutrophils

MeSH Terms

C-Reactive Protein
Diabetes Mellitus
Humans
Inflammation
Lymphocyte Count
Lymphocytes
Macular Degeneration*
Multivariate Analysis
Neutrophils
C-Reactive Protein

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 The receiver operating characteristics analysis for neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in predicting neovascular age-related macular degeneration. AUC = area under the curve; CI = confidence interval.

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