Associations of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Monocyte-to-Lymphocyte Ratio with Osteoporosis and Incident Vertebral Fracture in Postmenopausal Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study

Systemic Immune-Inflammation-Based Biomarker and Fragility Fractures in People Living With HIV: A 10-Year Follow-Up Cohort Study in China

Fragility fractures are a significant concern among people living with HIV(PLWH) due to the combined effects of chronic inflammation, immune dysregulation, and antiretroviral therapy. Traditional biomarkers have limited predictive value for fragility fractures in this population. This study aims to evaluate the systemic immune inflammation-based scores as novel biomarkers for predicting fragility fractures in PLWH in China. We conducted a cohort study of PLWH in the orthopedic department of Beijing Ditan Hospital from January 2011 to September 2023. We monitored fragility fractures and collected data on demographics, clinical characteristics, and laboratory parameters. Multivariate Cox and logistic regression models were used to assess the predictive value of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) for fragility fractures. Restricted cubic splines (RCS) were employed to explore potential nonlinear relationships, and subgroup analyses were conducted to examine the stability of these associations. During a median follow-up of 5.5 years, our study included 1148 PLWH patients, and 204 patients (17.8%) experienced fragility fractures. After adjusting for all covariates, SII and SIRI were identified as independent risk factors for fragility fractures in PLWH, whereas NLR, PLR, and MLR were not. Patients with higher levels of SII and SIRI had a significantly increased risk of fragility fractures compared to those with lower levels (HR: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.24-3.10, p = 0.004; HR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.16-2.88, p = 0.009). RCS analysis indicated a stable linear relationship between SIRI and fragility fractures. Furthermore, KM curves demonstrated that patients with higher SII and SIRI scores had a higher likelihood of experiencing fragility fractures. Our research shows that SII and SIRI are promising biomarkers for predicting fragility fractures in PLWH. Clinicians should consider incorporating SIRI into clinical practice to improve fracture risk stratification and guide preventive strategies for this vulnerable population.

Application Value of Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio as a Novel Indicator in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Review Based on Clinical Evidence

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronically progressive autoimmune disease with increasing age-standardized prevalence and incidence of RA worldwide. Its pathological features are persistent synovitis of the joint, accompanied by the release of a large number of inflammatory cytokines and cartilage and bone destruction. RA can lead to progressive joint damage, stiffness and swelling, vascular and bone-related complications, and irreversible disability, which seriously affects patients' life treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment can enhance the quality of life of RA patients. Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), as a common indicator in routine blood tests, has been proposed as an indicator of systemic inflammation in recent years. Its clinical detection is less invasive, economical, rapid and simple, and has been applied to the clinical evaluation of a variety of diseases. Of note, this indicator is important in assessing disease activity in RA, co-diagnosing RA, detecting subclinical complications, and monitoring responses to anti-inflammatory therapy. Therefore, this review summarizes the relationship between PLR and RA and the relevant mechanisms, further advancing the understanding of the clinical value of PLR.

Divergent associations of inflammatory markers with bone turnover markers in elderly patients with osteoporotic fractures

The association between inflammatory markers (IMs) and bone turnover markers (BTMs) in osteoporotic fracture patients has not been comprehensively studied. Therefore, this study examined the correlation between the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), or Monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) and BTMs in osteoporosis (OP) fracture patients. This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed 740 OP fracture patients admitted to the hospital from January 2017 to July 2022. MLR, NLR, and PLR were calculated based on each patient's complete blood count. The relationship between IMs and BTMs was assessed using three models by adjusting variables. Furthermore, the potential curve relationship between IMs and BTMs was also determined via the threshold effect analysis and curve fittings. In addition, stratified analysis was performed on each adjusted variable to confirm the stability of the results. After adjusting the variables, the results showed that NLR was negatively correlated with procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP) (β = -1.1788, 95% CI: -1.7230 to -0.6345, P-value < 0.0001) and β-C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (β-CTX) (β = -0.0104, 95% CI: -0.0145 to -0.0062, P-value < 0.0001), Furthermore, MLR was negatively correlated with P1NP (β = -17.4523, 95% CI: -27.7335 to -7.1710, P-value = 0.0009) and β-CTX (β = -0.1327, 95% CI: -0.2211 to -0.0443, P-value = 0.0034). However, PLR indicated a positive correlation with P1NP (β = 0.0326, 95% CI: 0.0007 to 0.0645, P-value = 0.0458) and β-CTX (β = 0.0003, 95% CI: 0.0001 to 0.0006, P-value = 0.0204). The threshold effect analysis and curve fittings revealed the presence of a turning point between NLR, MLR, and P1NP, β-CTX. In addition, the stratified analysis validated the result's stability. In conclusion, this study indicates a negative correlation between NLR and MLR with P1NP, while PLR shows a positive correlation with P1NP. Additionally, NLR and MLR exhibit a negative correlation with β-CTX, whereas PLR demonstrates a positive correlation with β-CTX. Further research is required to assess the intricate mechanisms linking IM with bone metabolism.

Correlation study of multiple inflammatory indices and vertebral compression fracture: A cross-sectional study

Background

Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are prevalent in patients with osteoporosis and pose significant health risks. Although chronic low-grade inflammation plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis, the relationship between various inflammatory indices and the occurrence of fractures remains unclear.

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the correlation between multiple inflammatory indices, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII), and systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), and VCFs, to explore the significance of these indices in clinical application.

Methods

Clinical data of 310 patients diagnosed with osteoporosis from November 2020 to June 2023 in the hospital were collected. The general conditions between fracture and non-fracture groups were described. Spearman analysis and binary logistic regression analysis were used to assess the relationship between inflammatory indices and VCFs. Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of these inflammatory indices for VCFs.

Results

VCFs were diagnosed in 43.55 % of patients with osteoporosis. NLR(ρ = 0.169, P=0.003), MLR(ρ = 0.293, P<0.001), SII(ρ = 0.126, P=0.027), and SIRI(ρ = 0.273, P<0.001) were positively correlated with the occurrence of VCFs. NLR(OR=1.480, 95 %CI 1.114 ∼ 1.966, P=0.007), MLR(multiplied by 100, OR=1.048, 95 %CI 1.011 ∼ 1.087, P=0.011), and SIRI(OR=3.327, 95 %CI 1.510 ∼ 7.330, P=0.003) were independent risk factors for VCFs, hip bone mineral density (BMD) (OR=0.011, 95 %CI 0.001 ∼ 0.151, P=0.001) was an independent protective factor for VCFs. MLR(AUC 0.671, 95 % CI=0.610 ∼ 0.732, P <0.001) had relatively high clinical diagnostic efficacy.

Conclusion

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) are independent risk factors for vertebral compression fractures.

The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio predicts all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among U.S. adults with rheumatoid arthritis: results from NHANES 1999-2020

Background

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is recognized as a biomarker for systemic inflammation and immune activation. However, its connection with the mortality risk in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is not well understood. This study aimed to investigate the association between NLR and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality risk in U.S. adults with RA.

Methods

Data were gathered from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles spanning 1999 to March 2020. We included adults aged ≥20 years. The NLR was computed by dividing the neutrophil count by the lymphocyte count from complete blood counts. The maximally selected rank statistics method helped identify the optimal NLR cutoff value associated with significant survival outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression models were performed to investigate the relationship between the NLR and the all-cause and cardiovascular mortality of RA. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) analyses were utilized to detect whether there were linear or non-linear relationships between NLR and mortality.

Results

In this study, 2002 adults with RA were included, with 339 having a higher NLR (≥3.28) and 1663 having a lower NLR (<3.28). During a median follow-up of 84 months, 79 RA individuals died. Participants with higher NLR had a 2-fold increased risk of all-cause (HR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.53-2.66) and cardiovascular mortality (HR = 2.48, 95% CI: 1.34-4.57) versus lower NLR, after adjusting for demographics, socioeconomic status, and lifestyle factors. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the survival rate for the higher NLR group was significantly lower than the lower NLR group, in terms of both all-cause and cardiovascular mortality (both P<0.0001). The RCS curve demonstrated a positive linear association between the NLR and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.

Conclusion

A higher NLR was independently predictive of elevated long-term mortality risk in U.S. adults with RA. The NLR may serve as an inexpensive, widely available prognostic marker in RA.

Elevation of White Blood Cell Subtypes in Adult Trauma Patients with Stress-Induced Hyperglycemia

BACKGROUND

Blood immune cell subset alterations following trauma can indicate a patient's immune-inflammatory status. This research explored the influence of stress-induced hyperglycemia (SIH) on platelet counts and white blood cell (WBC) subtypes, including the derived indices of the monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), in trauma patients.

METHODS

We studied 15,480 adult trauma patients admitted from 1 January 1998 to 31 December 2022. They were categorized into four groups: nondiabetic normoglycemia (NDN, n = 11,602), diabetic normoglycemia (DN, n = 1750), SIH (n = 716), and diabetic hyperglycemia (DH, n = 1412). A propensity score-matched cohort was formed after adjusting for age, sex, and comorbidities, allowing for comparing the WBC subtypes and platelet counts.

RESULTS

Patients with SIH exhibited significantly increased counts of monocytes, neutrophils, and lymphocytes in contrast to NDN patients. However, no significant rise in platelet counts was noted in the SIH group. There were no observed increases in these cell counts in either the DN or DH groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrated that trauma patients with SIH showed significantly higher counts of monocytes, neutrophils, and lymphocytes when compared to NDN patients, whereas the DN and DH groups remained unaffected. This underscores the profound association between SIH and elevated levels of specific WBC subtypes.

Effect of platelet content on occurrence and prognosis of distal radius fracture

Fractures of the distal radius are a common fracture with an increasing incidence. However, the underlying factors for distal radius fractures (DRFs) remain unclear. A total of 123 patients with distal radial fractures were recruited. To document clinical and follow-up data, and measure the levels of white blood cells, hemoglobin, platelets, and red blood cells in the bloodstream for qualitative observation of their expression effects within the human body, specifically assessing whether the magnitudes of these indicators are associated with potential factors influencing DRF. Pearson chi-square test and Spearman correlation were used to analyze the relationship between DRF and related parameters. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression and multivariate Cox proportional risk regression were used for further analysis. Pearson chi-square test and Spearman correlation analysis showed a significant correlation between platelet and red blood cell levels and the occurrence of DRFs. Univariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between platelet count (OR [odds ratio] = 6.286, 95% CI [confidence interval]: 2.862-13.808, P < .001) and red blood cell count (OR = 2.780, 95% CI: 1.322-5.843, P = .007) with DRFs. Increasing levels of both indicators were associated with a higher susceptibility to DRFs. Multivariate logistic regression showed that platelets (OR = 6.344, 95% CI: 2.709-14.855, P < .001) were significantly associated with DRFs. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed sex (HR [hazard ratio] = 0.596, 95% CI: 0.381-0.931, P = .023) and platelet (HR = 3.721, 95% CI: 2.364-5.855, P < .001) were significantly associated with maintenance time from recovery to recurrence (MTRR) of DRFs. In other words, the platelet content in the body of different genders is different, and the MTRR of DRF is different. Platelets were significantly associated with DRFs. The higher the platelet count, the higher the risk of DRF and the shorter the time of DRF recurrence.

A nomogram model based on the combination of the systemic immune-inflammation index, body mass index, and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio to predict the risk of preoperative deep venous thrombosis in elderly patients with intertrochanteric femoral fracture: a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has been considered as a frequent and serious consequence of intertrochanteric femoral fractures in the elderly. Several negative repercussions of DVT can be considerably mitigated by its timely recognition and treatment. The current work was aimed at exploring the factors independently predicting DVT among cases suffering from intertrochanteric femoral fractures and validate their predictive usefulness in diagnosing DVT.

METHODS

Between April 2017 and July 2022, clinical information from 209 cases showing preoperative DVT for femoral intertrochanteric fractures were retrospectively evaluated. In patients with femoral intertrochanteric fractures, logistic regression analysis with a backward stepwise method was adopted for detecting independent predictors for the diagnosis of preoperative DVT. Using multivariate logistic regression, a nomogram prediction model was developed and verified with the testing group.

RESULTS

According to multivariate logistic regression model, body mass index (BMI) (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.63-0.99, P = 0.042), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (OR 7.29, 95% CI 1.53, 34.64, P = 0.0012), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) (OR 6.61, 95% CI 2.35, 18.59, P = 0.001) were independent predictors for DVT before surgery among cases developing intertrochanteric femoral fracture. AUC values were 0.862 and 0.767 for training and testing groups, separately, while their mean errors in the calibration curve were 0.027 and 0.038 separately. Decision curve analysis (DCA) curve revealed a high value of clinical application for both groups.

CONCLUSION

Upon admission, BMI, NLR, and SII are independent predictors of DVT before surgery among cases developing intertrochanteric femoral fractures. Additionally, the nomogram based on the BMI, NLR, and SII can assist clinicians in determining if preventive and symptomatic therapies are required to improve DVT prognosis and reduce its associated mortality.

High Baseline Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Could Serve as a Biomarker for Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Blockers and Their Discontinuation in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis

BACKGROUND

This study explores the association of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte (MLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLR) ratios with the 3-month treatment response and persistence of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) blockers in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study investigated 279 AS patients who were newly initiated on TNF-α blockers between April 2004 and October 2019 and 171 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. Response to TNF-α blockers was defined as a reduction in the Bath AS Disease Activity Index of ≥50% or 20 mm, and persistence referred to the time interval from the initiation to discontinuation of TNF-α blockers.

RESULTS

Patients with AS had significantly increased NLR, MLR, and PLR ratios as compared to controls. The frequency of non-response at 3 months was 3.7%, and TNF-α blockers' discontinuation occurred in 113 (40.5%) patients during the follow-up period. A high baseline NLR but not high baseline MLR and PLR showed an independently significant association with a higher risk of non-response at 3 months (OR = 12.3, p = 0.025) and non-persistence with TNF-α blockers (HR = 1.66, p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

NLR may be a potential marker for predicting the clinical response and persistence of TNF-α blockers in AS patients.