Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and Platelets-to-lymphocyte (PLR) Ratio in Patients with Exacerbation of Bronchiectasis

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelets-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are novel inflammatory markers used in evaluation of systemic inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of NLR and PLR as inflammatory markers in patients with exacerbation of bronchiectasis. 100 patients with age between 23 and 88 years old with chest CT documentated bronchiectasis were included. Blood test were collected at admission in the hospital. There was a good correlation between classical markers such as CRP, ESR, white blood cells and NLR. PLR, however correlated only with ESR from the inflammatory markers and with the values og hemoglobin and hematocrit. We did not see higher values in patients with COPD and bronchiectasis when compared with patients with bronchiectasis alone, howevere patients with COPD GOLD stage 2 and bronchiectasis had higher values of NLR and PLR when compared with other stages. NLR, more than PLR can be safley used in evaluating inflammation in patients with exacerbation of bronchiectasis.