[Peripheral blood cell count and inflammation-based markers in chronic rhinosinusitis]

Area of Science:

• Otorhinolaryngology
• Immunology
• Hematology

Background:

• Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a complex inflammatory condition of the nasal and sinus mucosa.
• Peripheral blood cell counts and inflammation markers are increasingly recognized as potential indicators of systemic inflammation in various diseases.
• Understanding differences in these markers across CRS subtypes may offer insights into disease mechanisms and severity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate differences in peripheral blood cell counts and inflammation-based markers between various types of CRS.
• Specifically, to compare neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of complete peripheral blood counts, ESR, and CRP in 386 CRS patients.
• Assessment of CRS symptom severity using Lund-Mackay CT scores.
• Stratification of patients based on nasal cytology and presence of nasal polyps (NP).

Main Results:

• Higher blood leukocyte and neutrophil counts were observed in neutrophilic CRS.
• Significant differences were found between CRS with nasal polyps (NP) and CRS without NP for leukocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, CRP, NLR, and MLR.
• Patients with CRS with NP exhibited elevated peripheral blood leukocyte, neutrophil, monocyte, and eosinophil counts, along with higher CRP, NLR, and MLR values compared to those without NP.

Conclusions:

• Peripheral blood cell counts and inflammation markers (CRP, NLR, MLR) differ significantly between CRS subtypes, particularly CRS with and without NP.
• These markers can aid in the initial evaluation of CRS patients.
• Elevated inflammation markers may prompt more aggressive treatment strategies, including systemic anti-inflammatory medication.