Ratios of neutrophils to lymphocytes and platelets to lymphocytes in ankylosing spondylitis with disease activity relationship

Abstract

Background and objectives: Ankylosing spondylitis impacts the fibers and synovial tissues of the sacroiliac and spinal joint and is most noticeable commencement occurs in males. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between ratios of neutrophils to lymphocytes and platelets to lymphocytes in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Methods: This was a case control study performed at Rheumatology units of Erbil and Rizgari teaching hospitals between January 2022 and March 2023. Inclusion criteria involved patients with ankylosing spondylitis based on the criteria developed by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index score. Neutrophil / lymphocyte and platelet / lymphocyte ratio has been calculated manually from the laboratory results. Results: Disease activity evaluated based on Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index Score. Patients with active disease had higher Neutrophil / lymphocyte ratio than inactive and control group with a value of 2.27 ± 0.34, 2.03 ± 0.58, and 1.92 ± 0.93 for the three groups respectively; this difference was statistically significant. The same correlation was found in terms of platelet to lymphocyte ratio with values of 149.92 ± 31.13 for active group and 126.88± 58.38 and 129.74 ± 63.16 for inactive and control group respectively. There was a weak negative and not significant correlation between both Neutrophil / lymphocyte and platelet / lymphocyte ratio and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index Score. Conclusion: Potential indicators of the activity of ankylosing spondylitis include the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and the platelet to lymphocyte ratio.

Keywords

• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Neutrophile to lymphocyte ratio
• Platelet to lymphocyte ratio