An evaluation of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a prognostic and predictive marker in thromboangiitis obliterans

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio is an independent predictor of poor prognosis, mortality, co-morbidities, critical limb ischmemia, amputation, or a potential prognostic biomarker predicting pathological and survival outcomes in thromboangiitis obliterans. We also investigated whether there was any relation between an increased neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in patients with Buerger’s disease and amputation, the ultimate outcome of poor prognosis. Material and Methods: The hospital records of patients treated, followed-up and diagnosed with thromboangiitis obliterans were analyzed retrospectively. Surgical procedures performed and medical treatments applied were recorded from patients’ clinical data. Extremities exposed to the disease during its course were identified. Amputations were recorded as minor and major. Neutrophil and lymphocyte values were recorded from peripheral blood samples at time of first presentation to hospital, with the neutrophil/ lymphocyte ratio being calculated from these. One hundred ten subjects were finally enrolled as the patient group (TAO; n=110). A control group (n=49) was established consisting of smoker volunteers with no health problems. Statistical changes in neutrophil/ lymphocyte ratio values between the groups were investigated. Results: No statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups’ basic characteristics. In terms of neutrophil/ lymphocyte ratio values, a statistically significant increase was observed in the patient group compared to the control group. We observed no statistical correlation between amputations and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio values. Conclusions: We think that the neutrophil / lymphocyte ratio, obtained easily and cheaply from routine peripheral blood samples, may be of clinical benefit in thromboangiitis obliterans.