Search Results (3)

Plaque psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease characterized by the formation of thick, scaly plaques. The disease is driven by dysregulation of the immune response, primarily involving T-helper cells, which create a persistent inflammatory environment. In recent years, several biomarkers reflecting systemic inflammation have been identified, including indices derived from a complete blood count, such as the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII). The aim of our study was to explore the role of these markers in patients with psoriasis undergoing biological treatment. Medical records of 159 patients with plaque psoriasis receiving biologics were retrospectively reviewed. The NLR, PLR, and SII values were calculated from the hemograms of the patients. Additionally, demographic and psoriasis severity data were analyzed. During the 18-month follow-up, the mean NLR, PLR, SII, and CRP values were significantly decreased in comparison to the baseline (p < 0.05). No significant differences between anti-TNF, anti-IL-12/23, anti-IL-17, and anti-IL-23 drugs were identified (p > 0.05). The initial values of NLR, PLR, and SII were positively correlated with psoriasis severity. No relationship between the analyzed biomarkers and age, sex, psoriasis duration, and prior exposure to biological drugs was identified. CBC-derived biomarkers may be useful for monitoring inflammation reduction in psoriasis patients treated with biological drugs. Full article

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by chronic inflammation, which mediates the progressive replacement of functional nephrons by fibrotic tissue. Hemogram-derived inflammatory markers are known to serve as markers of pathological conditions; however, their diagnostic value in feline CKD is still unknown. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate selected hemogram-derived inflammatory markers (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and the systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII)) in cats at different clinical stages of CKD. Eighty-eight client-owned cats with CKD and thirty-two healthy control cats were included. Cats with CKD were divided into two groups: early CKD (IRIS stage 1 and 2; 62 cats) and progressed CKD (IRIS stage 3 and 4; 26 cats). The values of inflammatory markers were compared between the two CKD groups and the control group. All investigated hemogram-derived inflammatory markers were significantly (p < 0.05) greater in cats with advanced CKD than in those in the other two groups. Additionally, we demonstrated a statistically significant weak to moderate correlation between serum urea, creatinine, selected hematologic and urinary parameters, and the investigated inflammatory markers in cats with CKD. Chronic inflammation can be easily and inexpensively assessed with hemogram-derived markers. Full article

Background and Objectives: It is crucial to quickly identify those patients who need immediate treatment in order to avoid the various complications related to acute diverticulitis (AD). Although several studies evaluated the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) suggesting its predictive value in assessing the severity of AD, results have been inconclusive. Therefore, we aimed to assess the relationship between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), the monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and systemic immune inflammation (SII) with the severity of AD, the ability to predict the presence or absence of complications, and the recurrence rate, based on the values of inflammatory markers. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 147 patients diagnosed with AD between January 2012 to February 2023. Patients were divided into 2 groups, uncomplicated and complicated AD. The characteristics and full blood count between both groups were compared. Results: A total of 65 (44.22%) patients were classified as having complicated AD. The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) defining a Hinchey score ≥ 1b was as follows: SII, 0.812 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.73 –0.888); NLR, 0.773 (95% CI, 0.676–0.857); PLR, 0.725 (95% CI, 0.63–0.813); MLR: 0.665 (95% CI, 0.542 –0.777). An SII cutoff value of > 1200 marked the highest yield for diagnosing complicated AD, with a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 76%. The cumulative recurrence rate was not significantly different in the groups of SII ≥ median vs. SII < median (p = 0.35), NLR ≥ median vs. NLR < median (p = 0.347), PLR ≥ median vs. PLR < median (p = 0.597), and MLR ≥ median vs. MLR < median (p = 0.651). Conclusions: Our study indicates that SII, NLR, and PLR are statistically significant and clinically useful classifying ratios to predict higher Hinchey scores. However, they cannot predict recurrences. Full article