EVALUATION OF NEUTROPHIL TO LYMPHOCYTE RATIO AS AN INDICATOR OF PRESENCE OF CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE IN DIABETIC PATIENTS

Abstract

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). DM is a substantial risk factor in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. We aimed to investigate relationship between the presence of established neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and coronary artery disease (CAD) in DM.

Methods: 104 diabetic patients who had coronary lesion with a diameter stenosis of at least 50% and 64 diabetic patients who had normal coronary anatomy matched with age and sex were retrospectively selected and classified CAD (+) and CAD (-) group respectively. Baseline NLR in two groups was compared.

Results: NLR was higher in CAD (+) group compared to group without CAD (-) (2.69±1.74 vs. 1.98±.85, p<0.001). C reactive protein (CRP) was higher in CAD (+) group compared to group without CAD (-) (1.71±99 vs. 1.38±.99 p=0.02). Multivariate analysis indicated CRP and NLR were an independent indicator of presence of CAD in diabetic patients (Odds ratio: 1.405, %CI: 1.035-1.908, p=0.029 and odds ratio: 1.759, %CI: 1.226-2.525, p=0.002 respectively).

Conclusion: NLR was higher in diabetic patients with angiographically proven CAD compared to those without CAD. NLR may be a useful marker to predict the presence of CAD in type 2 diabetic patients.