Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio: An Emerging Marker of the Relationships between the Immune System and Diseases |
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| Authors: | Agata Buonacera Benedetta Stancanelli Michele Colaci Lorenzo Malatino |
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| Affiliation: | 1.Emergency Department, Policlinico S. Marco, 95121 Catania, Italy;2.Unit of Internal Medicine, Policlinico S. Marco, 95121 Catania, Italy;3.Academic Unit of Internal Medicine and Hypertension Centre, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Cannizzaro Hospital, 95126 Catania, Italy; |
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| Abstract: | Over the last 10 years, the evaluation of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as an emerging marker of diseases has become a compelling field of bio-medical research. Although a precise and unique cut-off value has not been yet found, its role as a flag of immune system homeostasis is well established. NLR has a well-known prognostic value and independently correlates with mortality in the general population and in several specific subsets of disease (sepsis, pneumonia, COVID-19, cancer, etc.). Moreover, NLR was recently considered as part of the decision-making processes concerning the admission/recovery of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. This review aims to provide an overview of the main use of this biomarker, focusing on the pathophysiology and the molecular basis underlying its central role as a reliable mirror of inflammatory status and adaptive immunity. |
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| Keywords: | neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) marker prognosis mortality sepsis intensive care unit (ICU) coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) |
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