Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026
Monitoring Neutrophil Elastase and Cathepsin G Activity in Human Sputum Samples
Published on: May 21, 2021
Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in patients with familial Mediterranean fever
Mehmet Celikbilek1, Serkan Dogan, Lutfi Akyol
1Department of Gastroenterology, Bozok University Medical School, Yozgat, Turkey.
Background:
Blood neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (N/L) ratio is an indicator of the overall inflammatory status of the body, and an alteration in N/L ratio may be found in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). The aim of this study was to investigate the interrelationship between N/L ratio and FMF.
Methods:
One hundred and fifteen patients and controls were enrolled in the study. The cases in the study were categorized as FMF with attack, FMF with attack-free period, and controls. The neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were recorded, and the N/L ratio was calculated from these parameters. All patients were diagnosed according to Tel Hashomer criteria.
Results:
A total of 79 FMF patients were included in the study and all subjects were receiving colchicine treatment at the time. The serum N/L ratios of active patients were significantly higher than those of attack-free FMF patients and controls (P < 0.001). The optimum N/L ratio cut-off point for active FMF was 2.63 with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 0.62 (0.41-0.80), 0.85 (0.72-0.93), 0.67 (0.44-0.85), and 0.82 (0.69-0.91), respectively. The overall accuracy of the N/L ratio in determination of FMF patients during attack was 71%.
Conclusion:
Our results demonstrate that N/L ratio is higher in patients with active FMF compared with FMF patients in remission and controls, and a cut-off value of 2.63 can be used to identify patients with active FMF.
Insights
The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (N/L) ratio is elevated in active familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients compared to those in remission and healthy controls. A ratio of 2.63 can help identify active FMF cases.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
- Hematology
Background:
- The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (N/L) ratio serves as a marker for systemic inflammation.
- Elevated N/L ratios have been observed in various inflammatory conditions, including familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between the N/L ratio and the inflammatory status in patients with FMF.
- To determine if the N/L ratio can differentiate between active FMF, FMF in remission, and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 115 participants, including FMF patients (active and attack-free periods) and healthy controls.
- Neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were measured to calculate the N/L ratio.
- Diagnosis of FMF was confirmed using Tel Hashomer criteria.
Main Results:
- The N/L ratio was significantly higher in FMF patients experiencing an attack compared to attack-free FMF patients and controls (P < 0.001).
- An N/L ratio cut-off of 2.63 demonstrated 62% sensitivity and 85% specificity for identifying active FMF.
- The overall accuracy of the N/L ratio in detecting active FMF was 71%.
Conclusions:
- The N/L ratio is a valuable indicator of active inflammation in FMF.
- A threshold N/L ratio of 2.63 can aid in the identification of FMF patients during an active disease flare.
