Neutrophil-lymphocyte Ratio in Cerebral Aneurysm

Abstract

Introduction: Blood neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a simple marker of subclinical inflammation that can be easily obtained. The NLR has recently emerged as a prognostic marker in patients with cancer and coronary artery disease. However, little is known about the role of NLR in patients with intracranial aneurysm (IA).Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical significance of NLR in patients with IA.Methods: The study group consisted of patients with IA who had been admitted to the neurology department from January 2008 to December 2014. A total of 362 patients including 176 patients with unruptured IA, 186 patient with ruptured IA were enrolled in this study. The control group consisted of 178 age, sex-matched healthy adults who had not harbor IA by CTA, MRA, DSA. The baseline NLR was calculated as the ratio of neutrophil count to lymphocyte count. WBC count>12.000 cells per μL or <4.000 cells per μL and high body temperature>38 ° are excluded from the study.Results: The Mean NLR was significantly higher among persons with cerebral aneurysm compared with controls (P < 0.001). The level of NLR in ruptured IA group were found higher compared to unruptured IA and control group (7.0 ± 6.6 vs 2.5 ± 1.5 vs 1.6 ± 0.5, P < 0.001). Other comorbid conditions were balanced between these three groups.Conclusions: Higher NLR is associated with cerebral aneurysm. Unlike many other inflammatory markers and bioassays, NLR are inexpensive and readily available biomarkers that may be useful for risk stratification in patients with cerebral aneurysm.