Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and clinical outcomes in COPD: recent evidence and future perspectives

Panagiotis Paliogiannis, Alessandro G Fois, Salvatore Sotgia, Arduino A Mangoni, Elisabetta Zinellu, Pietro Pirina, Silvia Negri, Ciriaco Carru, Angelo Zinellu, Panagiotis Paliogiannis, Alessandro G Fois, Salvatore Sotgia, Arduino A Mangoni, Elisabetta Zinellu, Pietro Pirina, Silvia Negri, Ciriaco Carru, Angelo Zinellu

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disabling condition that is characterised by poorly reversible airflow limitation and inflammation. Acute exacerbations of COPD are a common cause of hospitalisation and death among COPD patients. Several biochemical markers have been studied as outcome predictors in COPD; however, their measurement often requires significant time and resources. Relatively simple biomarkers of inflammation calculated from routine complete blood count tests, such as the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), might also predict COPD progression and outcomes. This review discusses the available evidence from studies investigating the associations between the NLR, COPD exacerbations and death in this patient group.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: None declared.

Copyright ©ERS 2018.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) cut-off values in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) identified in the studies reviewed.

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