Reference values for white blood-cell-based inflammatory markers in the Rotterdam Study: a population-based...

Area of Science:

• Clinical Medicine
• Inflammation Research
• Biomarker Discovery

Background:

• The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) are emerging prognostic inflammatory markers.
• Normal reference values for these indices are currently unknown, limiting their clinical application in cancer survival and cardiovascular disease assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish reference values for the NLR, PLR, and SII in a general population.
• To investigate the influence of age and gender on these novel inflammatory markers.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from a population-based prospective cohort study (2002-2014) including 8,711 participants aged 45 and over.
• Calculation of NLR, PLR, and SII using absolute blood counts.
• Determination of mean values and 95% reference intervals, with stratification by age categories and gender.

Main Results:

• Established reference intervals: NLR (1.76 [0.83-3.92]), PLR (120 [61-239]), and SII (459 [189-1168]).
• All inflammatory markers demonstrated an increase with advancing age.
• Significant gender differences observed: PLR and SII were higher in females, while NLR was higher in males.

Conclusions:

• Provided the first reference values for NLR, PLR, and SII in a general population.
• These inflammatory markers exhibit age-dependent trends and gender-specific variations.
• The established reference ranges offer crucial context for future clinical practice and research utilizing these prognostic markers.