Is Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio Associated with Subclinical Inflammation and Amyloidosis in Patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever?

Abstract Background Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF), which is characterised by recurrent episodes of fever with serositis, is associated with ongoing inflammation without clinical findings during attack-free periods, leading to amyloidosis, the most important complication of FMF. The objective of this study was to investigate the C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR) as a marker to identify subclinical inflammation in symptom-free FMF children and compare the CAR with other systemic inflammatory markers such as mean platelet volume (MPV), red cell distribution width (RDW), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR). Material and Methods We included 100 patients and 70 healthy subjects. Hospital records were obtained to collect data on laboratory findings and genetic mutations. Results We found that the CAR levels of our FMF patients were significantly higher than those of the control group. We also evaluated that the CAR values had a higher area-under-the-curve value than the other systemic inflammation parameters including CRP, MPV, RDW, NLR, PLR based on Receiver-Operating Characteristics (ROC) analysis. Conclusion It is important to identify subclinical inflammation in FMF patients with simple, reliable, easily accessible markers to avoid amyloidosis. Although the CAR might be used to assess subclinical inflammation in paediatric FMF patients, the prognostic value of CAR is not superior to CRP. Merging CRP and albumin into a single index thus provides no additional benefit in detecting subclinical inflammation in FMF.

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Immunological Evaluation in Patients with Familial Mediterranean fever

Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.3889/oamjms.2018.079 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 310-313 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Shams Kholoussi ◽

Naglaa Kholoussi ◽

Moushira Erfan Zaki ◽

Hala T. El-Bassyouni ◽

Hala Elnady ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Normal Control ◽

B Lymphocyte ◽

Research Centre ◽

Control Group ◽

Subclinical Inflammation ◽

Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio ◽

Lymphocyte Ratio ◽

Mediterranean Fever ◽

Immunological Evaluation ◽

Common Manifestation

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate T & B lymphocyte subsets and Natural Killer (NK) cells patterns in children with FMF versus normal control subjects, to estimate the immunoglobulins IgG, IgM, and IgA levels, and to scrutinize the possible use of Neutrophil / Lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a marker for subclinical inflammation in FMF patients.PATIENTS AND METHODS: A group of 42 patients with FMF attending the Genetics Clinic at National Research Centre were included in this study. They were 13 males and 19 females; their age ranged from 2 to 17 years old. Normal healthy subjects within the same age and sex range were included as a control group. Complete blood picture was done for all cases, and neutrophil/ lymphocyte ratio was calculated. Flow cytometer analysis was done for CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19 and CD16 using monoclonal antibodies. Immunoglobulins IgG, IgA and IgM were estimated in serum using nephelometry.RESULTS: Positive consanguinity was present in 20 patients (47.6%). Abdominal pain was the most common manifestation followed by fever, arthritis, and red rash. CD3, CD4 and CD8 were statistically increased in patients group as compared to normal control group, while CD16 was statistically decreased.CONCLUSION: The study suggests that quantitative measurement of CD expressions of CD3, CD4 and CD8 as well as NLR might be used as valuable markers for subclinical inflammation in FMF.

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