HALP score in Demodex blepharitis: A case-control study

Demodex mite infestation is one of the most prevalent causes of blepharitis. This study was designed to evaluate whether Demodex blepharitis was related to novel inflammatory markers.

89 patients with Demodex blepharitis and 76 age-matched participants without blepharitis enrolled in the study. Test parameters such as hemoglobin, albumin, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, platelet, WBC, CRP, HALP score, systemic immune-inflammation-index (SII), pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV), and Demodex density were evaluated.

CRP values were numerically higher, and albumin levels were lower in the patient group, even though the differences between these levels in both groups were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). SII and PIV indices were shown to be numerically higher, and HALP score levels were statistically significantly lower in the patient group (p = 0.134, p = 0.319, p = 0.001). The ROC analysis was carried out, and the optimal cutoff point for the HALP score was designated using the formula of Youden's index. It was suggested that values below 504.8 for the HALP score can be used in the diagnosis of Demodex blepharitis with 66.5% of sensitivity and 78% of specificity.

CRP, SII, PIV, and specifically HALP scores, which are easy to obtain and easy to use in evaluating inflammation, may also be useful in assessing inflammation in Demodex blepharitis. Particularly, HALP scores may give clinicians the information about poor immune conditions and chronic inflammation in the patients.