Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio as a biomarker for urinary tract infection in female patients at Thumbay University Hospital, Ajman, UAE

Abstract

Short urethras make urinary tract infections (UTIs) common in women. Therefore, bacteria can enter the bladder more easily. This research aimed to determine if the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) can be used as a biomarker in UTI patients and compare C-reactive protein (CRP) and NLR to identify which is more effective in diagnosing UTI patients. This study examined urine culture, NLR, and CRP values in blood from 101 Thumbay University Hospital patients with UTI. Control group NLR and CRP values of 100 participants were also examined. NLR mean for UTI patients was 6.9881. The NLR mean for UTI-free participants was 3.0839. Comparison of NLR values between UTI patients and non-UTI patients showed significant results (P=<0.001). Thus, patients with UTI had significantly higher NLR results than those without UTI, indicating a strong correlation between UTI and higher NLR values. Our results showed that UTI patients had higher NLR and CRP values than healthy controls. In patients with UTI, clinical assessment of symptoms and complaints should be done first, followed by NLR and CRP as inflammatory markers.

Keywords

• UTI
• urinary tract infection
• C-reactive protein
• NLR
• neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio