Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Main Article Content
Keywords
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Diabetic Retinopathy, Innate Inflammatory Response
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Inadequate glycemic control can promote a chronic inflammatory state. The Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio has been used as a marker of systemic inflammation.
Objective: To correlate the Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio with the degree of retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Material and methods: Cross-sectional and analytical study. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were included. The degree of retinopathy, glucose level, HbA1C, and neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were investigated to calculate the Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio. To test the hypothesis, Fisher's exact test, Mann Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman's Rho were used in the statistical analysis. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: 50 patients were included; their age was 65 ± 10 years. The mean Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio was 2.5 ± 1.1. Mild nonproliferative retinopathy was present in 56% of the patients, moderate nonproliferative retinopathy in 14%, and high-risk proliferative retinopathy in 30%. A positive correlation was found between the Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and the degree of retinopathy (r = 0.532) (p = 0.000).
Conclusions: Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with a higher degree of diabetic retinopathy had a higher Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio. A positive correlation was found between the Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and the degree of diabetic retinopathy.
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