Utility of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in the prediction of inflammation and COPD mortality

Sanja Dimic-Janjic; Andrej Zecevic; Aleksa Golubovic; Ana Ratkovic; Ivan Milivojevic; Anka Postic; Mihailo Stjepanovic; Jelena Jankovic; Nikola Trboljevac; Aleksandra Barac; Spasoje Popevic; Ana Samardzic; Lidija Isovic; Branislava Milenkovic

doi:10.3855/jidc.20466

Utility of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in the prediction of inflammation and COPD mortality

Authors

Sanja Dimic-Janjic University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Clinic for Pulmonology, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9989-3862
Andrej Zecevic University Clinical Center of Serbia, Clinic for Pulmonology, Belgrade, Serbia
Aleksa Golubovic University Clinical Center of Serbia, Clinic for Pulmonology, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2848-6521
Ana Ratkovic University Clinical Center of Serbia, Clinic for Pulmonology, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5338-6427
Ivan Milivojevic University Clinical Center of Serbia, Clinic for Pulmonology, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3289-8148
Anka Postic University Clinical Center of Serbia, Clinic for Pulmonology, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0009-0009-8210-7744
Mihailo Stjepanovic University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Clinic for Pulmonology, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1787-1438
Jelena Jankovic University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Clinic for Pulmonology, Belgrade, Serbia
Nikola Trboljevac University Clinical Center of Serbia, Clinic for Pulmonology, Belgrade, Serbia
Aleksandra Barac University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Clinic for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Belgrade, Serbia
Spasoje Popevic University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Clinic for Pulmonology, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3587-4029
Ana Samardzic University Clinical Center of Serbia, Clinic for Pulmonology, Belgrade, Serbia
Lidija Isovic University Clinical Center of Serbia, Clinic for Pulmonology, Belgrade, Serbia
Branislava Milenkovic University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Clinic for Pulmonology, Belgrade, Serbia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.20466

Keywords:

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, inflammation, mortality, COPD

Abstract

Introduction: The Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) has been utilized to predict clinical outcomes in cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, and solid tumors and it has a potential association with the severity of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This study aimed to determine whether NLR is a possible predictor of inflammation severity and mortality in COPD.

Methodology: A prospective analysis of NLR in 70 COPD patients, and its relation with biochemical, lung function parameters, and mortality was assessed.

Results: NLR was negatively associated with oxygen saturation (p < 0.05) and positively related to C-reactive protein (CRP) (p < 0.05), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) (p ≤ 0.001), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) (p < 0.05), MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio (p < 0.05), and the modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale (mMRC) score (p < 0.05). Deceased patients had significantly higher NLR (p < 0.05). Older age and lower levels of saturation were independently associated with higher mortality in COPD patients (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: NLR in COPD correlates with inflammation and protease/antiprotease balance, with elevated NLR detected in deceased patients. These findings suggest that NLR can be a helpful clinical marker in COPD.

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Published

2025-05-31

How to Cite

Dimic-Janjic S, Zecevic A, Golubovic A, Ratkovic A, Milivojevic I, Postic A, Stjepanovic M, Jankovic J, Trboljevac N, Barac A, Popevic S, Samardzic A, Isovic L, Milenkovic B (2025) Utility of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in the prediction of inflammation and COPD mortality. J Infect Dev Ctries 19:776–781. doi: 10.3855/jidc.20466

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Issue

Vol. 19 No. 05: May 2025

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Original Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Sanja Dimic-Janjic, Andrej Zecevic, Aleksa Golubovic, Ana Ratkovic, Ivan Milivojevic, Anka Postic, Mihailo Stjepanovic, Jelena Jankovic, Nikola Trboljevac, Aleksandra Barac, Spasoje Popevic, Ana Samardzic, Branislava Milenkovic

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