The Predictive Value of the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Patients with Recurrent Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the inflammatory parameters including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and the prognosis of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM). Materials and methods: In this retrospective study, a total of 41 patients with IGM who had no malignant disease or inflammatory pathologies were included between January 2010 and December 2017. The patients were divided into two groups according to presence or absence of recurrence. Subsequently, the relationship between patient characteristics, pre- and postoperative NLR and PLR levels and disease recurrence were evaluated. Results: With a mean follow-up period of 28.4 months, 19.5% of patients were found to have recurrent IGM. Age, body mass index, patient characteristics such as oral contraceptive use, smoking status, and family history, surgical treatment and postoperative NLR, preoperative PLR, and postoperative PLR were not statistically significant between groups. However, only preoperative NLR was significantly associated with a recurrent IGM (p=0.024). Preoperative NLR predicted recurrence with a sensitivity of 62.5% and specificity of 84.8%. Conclusion: These results demonstrated that a high level of NLR was predictive of poor outcome in patients with IGM.