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Published on: March 1, 2011
The platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio as an inflammation marker in non-dipper hypertensive patients
N Bayrakci1, N Ozkayar1, F Akyel2
1Department of Nephrology, Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
Non-dipper hypertension is linked to higher cardiovascular disease risk and increased inflammation. This study found a significantly higher platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in non-dipper hypertensive patients, suggesting a role for inflammation in this condition.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Hematology
- Hypertension Research
Background:
- Non-dipper hypertension is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk compared to dipper hypertension.
- Inflammation is a key factor in the development and progression of CVD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and hypertension status (dipper vs. non-dipper).
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 199 primary hypertension patients.
- Patients were classified into dipper and non-dipper groups based on ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.
- Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) was calculated from complete blood count data.
Main Results:
- The non-dipper group (103 patients) had significantly higher mean systolic blood pressure and median PLR compared to the dipper group (96 patients).
- The non-dipper group exhibited significantly lower white blood cell and lymphocyte counts.
- Median PLR was significantly elevated in non-dipper hypertensive patients (132.15) versus dipper patients (117.0).
Conclusions:
- Median PLR is significantly higher in non-dipper hypertensive patients compared to dipper hypertensive patients.
- This finding supports the involvement of increased inflammatory response in non-dipper hypertension.
Background:
Non-dipper hypertensive patients have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) than dipper hypertensive patients. Inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of CVD. This study aimed to determine the relationship between the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and dipper and non-dipper hypertension.
Materials And Methods:
This prospective study included 199 consecutive patients that were diagnosed with primary hypertension. According to ambulatory blood pressure monitoring measurements, non-dipper and dipper group were determined. PLR was determined based on the platelet count and lymphocyte count in the complete blood count.
Results:
The non-dipper group included 103 patients (74 females and 29 males; mean age: 52.37 ± 10.7 years) and the dipper group included 96 patients (65 females and 31 males; mean age: 48.40 ± 11.1 years). Mean systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in the non-dipper group than in the dipper group (124 ± 15.1 mmHg versus 120 ± 11.2 mmHg, p =0.032) and the median PLR was significantly higher in the non-dipper group than in the dipper group [132.15 (range: 69.64-400) versus 117.0 (range: 53.52-192.26), p = 0.001], whereas the mean white blood cell count (6.86 ± 1.43 × 10³/ μL versus 7.24 ± 1.26 × 10³/μL, p =0.046) and median lymphocyte count [2.09 (range: 0.95-3.92) × 10³/μL versus 2.24 (range: 0.97-3.98) × 10³/μL, p =0.001) were significantly lower in the non-dipper group.
Conclusion:
Median PLR was significantly higher in the non-dipper hypertensive patients than in the dipper hypertensive patients. We think this finding further supports the role of an increase in inflammatory response in non-dipper hypertension. Hippokratia 2015; 19 (2):114-118.

