The evaluation of eosinophil-to-lymphocyte, eosinophil-toneutrophil, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios in adults with allergic/non-allergic rhinitis

Abstract

Aims:This study investigated the usefulness of inflammatory parameters such as eosinophilto-lymphocyte ratio (ELR), eosinophil-to-neutrophil ratio (ENR), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios (NLR) as markers for the diagnosis of patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and non-AR (NAR).Methods:This retrospective study included patients admitted to the allergy and immunology outpatient clinic with symptoms of chronic rhinitis. Subjects were divided into AR and NAR groups based on the skin prick test, serum total/allergen-specific immunoglobulin E level, and complete blood count. Subjects who underwent a medical check-up were included as healthy controls. ELR, ENR, and NLR were calculated using the results from complete blood counts.Results:The study included 121 patients with AR [mean±standard deviation (SD) age: 30.6±7.5 years, female: 68.6%], 101 patients with NAR (mean±SD age: 31.6±10.3 years, female: 72.3%), and 116 control subjects (mean±SD age: 31.1±9.8 years, female: 62.9%). Mean age and sex ratios were similar across the groups. Patients with AR had significantly higher serum eosinophil counts, ELR, and ENR than healthy controls (mean±SD 0.22±0.17 vs. 0.15±0.12; 0.10±0.10 vs. 0.08±0.06; and 0.06±0.04 vs. 0.04±0.04, respectively, p0.0684 showed 31.4% sensitivity and 82.9% specificity to predict AR. ELR was higher in NAR patients compared with the healthy controls (mean±SD 0.10±0.10 vs. 0.08±0.06, p<0.05). There was no difference in NLR across the three groups.Conclusions:Our study showed that serum eosinophil counts, ELR, and ENR values were higher in AR patients compared to healthy controls, while ELR values were higher in NAR patients compared to healthy controls.

Keywords

• allergic rhinitis
• eosinophil
• immunoglobulin e
• prick test
• inflammation