Is the C reactive protein/albumin ratio a good tool for retinal vein occlusion?

Local and systemic inflammation may play a role in the development of retinal vein occlusion (RVO). The C-reactive protein (CRP)/albumin ratio is a useful prognostic indicator in various systemic inflammatory conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of systemic blood markers of inflammation, including CRP/albumin ratio, in RVO.

The files of patients diagnosed with RVO were retrospectively reviewed. Thirty-four patients with RVO and 34 age- and sex-matched controls were included in the study. The control group consisted of age- and sex-matched subjects who visited the ophthalmology outpatient clinic for a routine eye examination. C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, albumin levels, and neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, and platelet counts were recorded. The CRP/albumin ratio, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) were calculated.

The mean age of group 1 was 58.73 ± 12.61, and group 2 was 59.17 ± 9.93 (p = 0.873). The female/male ratio was 18/16 in group 1 and 12/22 in group 2 (p = 0.111). CRP/Albumin ratio was 0.57 ± 0.40 in group 1, 0.36 ± 0.33 in group 2 (p = 0.020). The CRP/albumin ratio was significantly higher in the patients with RVO as compared with that in the controls. A significant correlation was found between the CRP/albumin ratio and visual acuity (LogMAR) (r = 0.356, p = 0.003). According to a receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the cut-off value of the CRP/albumin ratio for RVO was 0.42, with sensitivity of 79% and specificity of 55%. A significant correlation was found between the CRP/albumin ratio and visual acuity. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the NLR, PLR, and SII.

The CRP/albumin ratio is a better inflammation marker than the NLR, PLR, and SII in RVO.