Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2018 Jul;61(7):333-340. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2017.00535.

The Significance of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio as Markers for Prognosis in Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

• Yi KI
• Oh SJ
• Choi SW
• Kim SL
• Kong SK
• Goh EK

• KMID: 2436506
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2017.00535

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
The cause of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) is still unclear, but recently, chronic inflammation and thrombosis have received attention. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are some of the markers that show the state of inflammation and ischemia, which are measured routinely in the complete blood cell count (CBC) test. The aim of this study were to investigate the relevance of NLR and PLR with ISSNHL.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
Enrolled in our retrospective analysis were 103 patients diagnosed with ISSNHL. Blood samples were taken from the patients and hearing assessments were performed. NLR and PLR were calculated using the CBC results. Then the patients were divided into 4 groups using Sigel's criteria according to their response to the treatment, which were again classified two groups, the "recovered" and "unrecovered" group.
RESULTS
NLR, PLR, and neutrophil values of the unrecovered group were significantly higher than the recovered group (p=0.002, p=0.009, and p=0.038, respectively). On the other hand, lymphocyte values were significantly higher in the recovered group (p=0.007). After adjustment in a multivariate logistic regression analysis, NLR was associated with the recovery of ISSNHL (Odds ratio=1.290, p=0.042). In addition, NLR and PLR values were also significantly different between the groups classified by the Sigel's criteria (p=0.009 and p=0.029, respectively).
CONCLUSION
PLR values may be useful in predicting hearing recovery after treatment in patients with ISSNH. It is also expected to be a potential marker for predicting the prognosis and determining further treatment options.

Keyword

Laboratory marker; Prognosis; Sudden sensorineural hearing loss

MeSH Terms

Biomarkers
Blood Cell Count
Hand
Hearing
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural*
Humans
Inflammation
Ischemia
Logistic Models
Lymphocytes
Methods
Neutrophils
Prognosis*
Retrospective Studies
Thrombosis
Biomarkers