Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet-to-lymphocyte Ratio Correlations with C-reactive Protein and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate in Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Immune system and inflammatory response play an essential role in the development of secondary brain injury (SBI) after traumatic brain injury (TBI). An inflammatory biomarker that can reflect the SBI severity is needed to increase the effectivity of TBI management and prevent morbidity and mortality post-TBI. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), which are more affordable than C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), theoretically have the potential to be used as a marker of the SBI severity. However, NLR and PLR in daily medical practice are not yet fully utilized. AIM: The aim of the study was to correlate NLR and PLR with CRP and ESR as a marker of SBI severity post-TBI. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Sanglah Hospital Denpasar from January to April 2020. Patients diagnosed with TBI were included in this study by consecutive sampling. The blood samples were taken at 24-h post-TBI to obtain the NLR, PLR, CRP, and ESR results. Spearman’s correlation test was conducted to determine the correlation between NLR and PLR with CRP and ESR. RESULTS: Eighty-five patients were included in data analysis. Median ± (interquartile range) of the NLR, PLR, CRP, and ESR were 7.60 ± (6.83), 145.58 ± (76.95), 60.83 ± (66.3), and 12.50 ± (13.85) consecutively. NLR and PLR had a significant positive correlation with CRP (r = 0.472, **p < 0.01; r = 0.283, **p < 0.01 consecutively). But, NLR and PLR were not correlated with ESR. CONCLUSION: NLR and PLR can become a useful and more affordable marker for reflecting the SBI severity in acute TBI.