Correlation of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and mean platelet volume (MPV) with gout activity: A monocentric and retrospective study

To evaluate the correlation of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and mean platelet volume (MPV) with parameters related to gout activity. The general data of the patients and healthy controls (HCs), including complete blood count, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), serum uric acid (SUA), and the presence of tophi were retrospectively analyzed. NLR, MPV, and PLR were calculated in patients with intercritical gout and gout flares. Correlation of the 3 markers with clinical features, like ESR, CRP, SUA, and the presence of tophi, were analyzed. The results revealed that NLR and PLR were elevated and MPV was markedly decreased in patients with gout compared with HCs (all P < .05). In patients with gout flares, NLR, and PLR were higher and MPV was lower than in intercritical gout patients (all P < .05). NLR and PLR were positively correlated with ESR and CRP, whereas MPV was negatively correlated with ESR. NLR, PLR, and MPV showed no obvious correlation with SUA and the presence of tophi. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that NLR was more valuable in assessing gout disease activity. NLR, PLR, and MPV were correlated with inflammatory parameters in gout; they may be used as complementary tools to evaluate gout activity.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the correlation between neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and mean platelet volume (MPV) with parameters related to gout activity. The results showed that NLR and PLR were elevated and MPV was decreased in gout patients. NLR and PLR were positively correlated with inflammatory markers, while MPV was negatively correlated. The findings suggest that NLR, PLR, and MPV can be used as complementary tools to evaluate gout activity.