The relationship of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio with gastrointestinal bleeding in Henoch-Schonlein purpura

Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is the most common systemic vasculitis of childhood. Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is one of the major complications of HSP. The blood neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is identified as a potentially useful marker of clinical outcome in inflammatory diseases. NLR may be a useful biomarker of GI bleeding in children with HSP, which has a neutrophil-dominated inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate NLR in patients with HSP and to investigate the relationship with GI bleeding. The study consisted of 63 HSP patients and 38 age- and sex-matched healthy children. C-reactive protein, white blood cell count, platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), hemoglobin level, and NLR were evaluated. Logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were used to determine the variables associated with GI bleeding. NLR and MPV were the only two indicators associated with GI bleeding in HSP in logistic regression analysis. The area under the ROC curve analysis indicated that NLR could be a more efficient potential predictor of GI bleeding in HSP when compared to MPV. This study suggested that higher NLR might predict GI bleeding in HSP.