Blood Leukocyte Ratios: Equivocal Parameters for Allergic Diseases
Abstract
Objectives: Leukocytes play crucial roles in allergic and immunologic diseases. We compared neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), basophillymphocyte ratio (BLR), eosinophil-neutrophil ratio (ENR), and eosinophil-lymphocyte ratio (ELR) in 100 drug-induced urticaria-angioedema, 100 drug/venom-triggered anaphylaxis cases, and 100 healthy controls to assess their association with the severity of the allergic reaction.
Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis of blood leukocyte counts and ratios was performed.
Results: Median NLR was 1.975 in patients (2.09 in urticaria-angioedema, 1.905 in anaphylaxis) and 1.815 in controls. NLR was significantly higher in patients (p=0.038) and notably elevated in urticaria-angioedema (p=0.008). No significant differences in NLR were found between the urticaria-angioedema and anaphylaxis groups (p=0.09) or between the anaphylaxis and control groups (p=0.342). Other leukocyte ratios showed no significant changes between patient and control groups (p>0.05).
Conclusion: NLR may indicate allergic responses but doesn’t have predictive value for reaction type or severity.
Keywords
Anaphylaxis, angioedema, inflammation, leukocyte, urticaria
Ethical Statement
Ethics Committee Approval: Prior to commencing the research, necessary approval was obtained from the Human Research Ethics Committee of Ankara University (approval number: i09-647-23, date: 02.11.2023).
Informed Consent: Informed consent has been obtained from the participants. The investigation adhered to the Helsinki Declaration in its conduct.
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