Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio in Sickle Cell Anaemia Patients with Nephropathy
C. Aneke John
Departments of Haematology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria and Departments of Haematology, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
O. Adegoke Adegbola
Department of Chemical Pathology, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
C. Okocha Emmanuel *
Departments of Haematology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria.
E. Onah Christian
Department of Chemical Pathology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria.
C. Ibeh Nancy
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.
A. Durosinmi Muheez
Departments of Haematology, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is associated with a chronic inflammatory component; blood neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been described as a marker of organ dysfunction and clinical outcome in diseases associated with systemic inflammation.
Objective: To evaluate NLR in Nigerian SCA patients with nephropathy.
Methods: Seventy-nine (79) SCA patients in steady state and 50 aged-matched controls were prospectively enrolled for this study. Full blood count and dip-stick macro-albuminuria were done for each participant and data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The level of statistical significance was defined as p ≤ 0.05.
Results: The NLR was significantly higher in cases compared with controls (1.49±0.76 vs. 1.20±0.34, P=0.01) and the ANC was significantly higher in those with NLR ≥ 3.0 compared with those with NLR <3.0 (12.22±5.26x109/L vs. 6.10±2.96x109/L, respectively, P<0.001). Between cases with and without macro-albuminuria and controls, the means of NLR was significantly different (P=0.024). Macro-albuminuria was present in 16 (21.9%) of cases (all of which had NLR <3.0), this was not significantly correlated with NLR (r=-0.99, P=0.71).
Conclusion: No significant relationship was observed between NLR and SCA nephropathy.
Keywords: Sickle cell anaemia, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, macro-albuminuria.