Elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in pseudoexfoliation syndrome

PurposeTo investigate the relationship between serum neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and pseudoexfoliation syndrome.Materials and methodsThis study was designed as a retrospective analysis. Patients were divided into three groups: 55 patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (group 1), 19 patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (group 2), and 48 control subjects without pseudoexfoliation syndrome or pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (group 3). The levels of neutrophils and lymphocytes were measured by ABX Pentra DF120/USA biochemical analyzer. The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio was measured by dividing neutrophil count by lymphocyte count.ResultsThe mean ages of patients were 67.9±8.1 in group 1, 70.6±7.4 in group 2, and 67.3±7.6 in group 3 (P=0.172). Baseline clinical characteristics, such as diabetes and hypertension, were similar among groups. The mean neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio values were 2.08±0.61 in group 1, 2.20±0.58 in group 2, and 1.51±0.57 in group 3. The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio was significantly higher in group 1 and 2 than the group 3 (P<0.001). In receiver operating characteristics analysis, the area under the curve for neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio was 0.776, and a neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio of >1.72 predicted pseudoexfoliation syndrome with a sensitivity of 77% and specificity of 71%.ConclusionThe elevated neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio is significantly associated with pseudoexfoliation syndrome. This novel and low-cost parameter can provide useful information for the relevant risk evaluation in these patients.