Results of a Study Comparing the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio with Diabetes Control and Complications
- VernacularTitle:Нейтрофил-лимфоцитийн харьцааг чихрийн шижингийн хяналт болон хүндрэлтэй харьцуулан судалсан дүн
- Author:
Anujin T
1
;
Oyuntugs B
1
;
Munkh-Uchral N
2
;
Altaisaikhan Kh
1
;
Otgonbat A
2
Author Information
1. Department of Endocrinology, School of Medicine, MNUMS
2. Department of Hematology, School of Medicine, MNUMS
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Glycated hemoglobin, Macro-microangiopathy;
Types of leukocytes;
Inflammation markers
- From:
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences
2025;86(2):102-106
- CountryMongolia
- Language:Mongolian
-
Abstract:
Background:Complete blood count (CBC) is one of the most widely used clinical tests, offering a high-quality,
inexpensive, and routine diagnostic tool for various diseases and for monitoring treatment outcomes. Due to modern
technological advancements, blood cells are now measured in greater detail, with 36 parameters being evaluated. The
prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is rapidly increasing, not only globally but also in our country. This rise in prevalence
leads to numerous adverse consequences, including delayed diagnosis, poor control, an increase in chronic complications,
and treatment failure. Hyperglycemia is a predisposing factor for chronic inflammation, and a relatively new inflammatory
marker, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), may be useful for assessing diabetes control. In recent years, NLR
has been studied as a composite biomarker that more effectively reflects systemic inflammation and is easier to detect
compared to other inflammatory markers. An increase in neutrophil count and percentage indicates chronic, low-grade,
toxic, and non-specific inflammation, while a decrease in lymphocyte count suggests insufficient immune regulation.
Thus, an elevated NLR not only reflects the immune system’s functional state in chronic inflammation, but it is also
studied as a reliable and selective marker of systemic inflammation in chronic diseases. NLR is considered more stable
than the total leukocyte count, is less affected by physiological and pathological factors, is inexpensive, and can be
incorporated into daily clinical practice.
Aim:To study the relationship between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in a complete blood count and diabetes control
and complications
Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 145 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus,
who were treated at the Endocrine Clinic of the Mongolian-Japanese Hospital, Mongolian National University of Medical
Sciences. Data on the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and diabetic complications,
including retinopathy, neuropathy, and foot complications, were collected from the Carte-Hospital Management System.
Based on the frequency distribution of the NLR parameter, the values were classified into three groups: low, medium, and
high. These groups were subsequently compared with glycemic control and complications using correlation and linear
regression analyses, with statistical significance set at p<0.05.
Results:The mean age of the study participants (n=145) was 57.3±12.9 years, with 46.8% (n=131) being male. The mean
duration of diabetes was 9.6 years (range: 1-31 years), and the mean HbA1c level was 8.6±2.47%. Among the participants,
59.3% (n=86) exhibited poor glycemic control. Regarding complications, 52.3% of participants experienced at least one
diabetes-related complication. Of these, 25.2% had one complication, 13.3% had two, and 7.1% had three or more.
The most common complications were retinopathy (25.7%), nephropathy (18.6%), and macrovascular complications
(11.9%). A statistically significant increase in the mean HbA1c level was observed across groups stratified by NLR
levels (p=0.003). Linear correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant positive correlation between HbA1c levels
(r=0.194, p=0.001) and the number of chronic diabetes complications (r=0.162, p=0.002).
Conclusion:The NLR level is positively correlated with both diabetes control and the occurrence of chronic complications.
As an inexpensive and easily accessible test, it can be used for daily monitoring and early detection of complications.
- Full text:2025052816204285677102-106.pdf
