The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is associated with coronary heart disease risk in adults: A population-based study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to look at any connections that could exist between neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and coronary heart disease. We performed a cross-sectional research of 13732 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey who were 40 or older. Multivariate logistic regression models investigated the relationship between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio levels and coronary heart disease risk. To investigate potential nonlinear connections, smoothed curve fitting was used. When a nonlinear relationship was discovered, the inflexion point was determined using a recursive method. After controlling for relevant confounders, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was independently linked to a higher risk of coronary heart disease (OR = 1.74, 95% CI:1.30–2.33, P = 0.0002). Subgroup analyses showed statistically significant positive associations between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and coronary heart disease risk in women (OR = 1.25, 95% CI:1.09–1.43), participants 60 years of age and older (OR = 1.09, 95% CI:1.00–1.19), smoking status for every day or not at all (OR = 1.23, 95% CI:1.00–1.52; OR = 1.09, 95% CI:1.00–1.19), alcohol use status for moderate alcohol use (OR = 1.11, 95% CI:1.00–1.22), body mass index >30 kg/m2 (OR = 1.42, 95% CI:1.10–1.82), hypertensive (OR = 1.11, 95% CI:1.02–1.22), and individuals without diabetes (OR = 1.17, 95% CI:1.06–1.31). A positive correlation between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio levels and coronary heart disease risk was also seen by smoothing curve fitting, with an inflexion point of 1.08 that was statistically significant (P<0.05). Our research shows elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio levels are linked to a higher risk of coronary heart disease.