Evaluation and comparison of utility of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a diagnostic marker in covid-19 infection

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which was first described during a pneumonia outbreak in Wuhan, has attracted tremendous attention in a short period of time as the death toll and the number of confirmed cases is growing unceasingly. Although molecular testing is the gold standard method of SARS-CoV-2 detection, the existence of the false-negative results presents a major limitation to this method. Material(s) and Method(s) Our present study aimed to determine the relationship between NLR and COVID-19 patients underwent treatment. The study was an analytical observational with a cross-sectional approach from May 2021 to January 2022 at the SMMH Medical College, Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Result(s) COVID-19 infection is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Diabetes mellitus and heart disease comorbid have high morbidity and mortality. Increased Neutrophils to Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) assist in early screening of disease severity, especially patients admitted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). There was a correlation between NLR in COVID-19 patients who were severely ill and admitted in the ICU with p=0.012. Conclusion(s) Increased NLR of COVID-19 patients occurs due to infiltration of the innate and adaptive immune system in infected tissue, resulting in decreased circulating lymphocytes. This subsequently increases NLR in COVID-19 patients. This study found a moderate positive correlation between NLR in COVID-19 patients who were severely ill. Copyright © 2022 Ubiquity Press. All rights reserved.