A systematic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio in systemic lupus erythematosus.
Angelo Zinellu, Panagiotis Paliogiannis, Arduino A Mangoni
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Abstract
The wide range of clinical and serological manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the lack of accepted diagnostic criteria warrant the identification of novel, more accurate biomarkers. Hematological indices derived from full blood cell counts, particularly the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), have shown promise in SLE; however, a critical appraisal of their diagnostic accuracy is lacking. We sought to address this issue by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of the NLR and PLR in SLE. The electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were systematically searched from inception to 15 March 2024 for studies reporting the sensitivity and specificity of the NLR and PLR, obtained by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, for the presence of SLE, disease severity, organ involvement (lupus nephritis, pericarditis, and pleural disease), and complications (infections). The risk of bias was assessed using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42024531446). The NLR exhibited good accuracy for the diagnosis of SLE (eight studies; area under the curve, AUC = 0.81, 95% CI 0.78-0.85) and lupus nephritis (nine studies; AUC = 0.81, 95% CI 0.77-0.84), but not for severe disease (nine studies; AUC = 0.69, 95% CI 0.65-0.73) or infections (six studies; AUC = 0.73, 95% CI 0.69-0.77). The PLR exhibited good accuracy for the diagnosis of severe disease (six studies; AUC = 0.85, 95% CI 0.81-0.87). There were an insufficient number of studies to assess the accuracy of the PLR for the diagnosis of SLE, lupus nephritis, or infections. No study investigated the NLR and PLR in SLE patients with pericarditis or pleural disease. Therefore, the NLR and the PLR have a relatively high diagnostic accuracy for the presence of SLE and lupus nephritis (NLR) and severe disease (PLR). Further studies are warranted to determine whether the NLR and PLR, in combination with clinical evaluation and other serological biomarkers, can enhance the diagnosis and management of SLE.
期刊介绍:
Clinical and Experimental Medicine (CEM) is a multidisciplinary journal that aims to be a forum of scientific excellence and information exchange in relation to the basic and clinical features of the following fields: hematology, onco-hematology, oncology, virology, immunology, and rheumatology. The journal publishes reviews and editorials, experimental and preclinical studies, translational research, prospectively designed clinical trials, and epidemiological studies. Papers containing new clinical or experimental data that are likely to contribute to changes in clinical practice or the way in which a disease is thought about will be given priority due to their immediate importance. Case reports will be accepted on an exceptional basis only, and their submission is discouraged. The major criteria for publication are clarity, scientific soundness, and advances in knowledge. In compliance with the overwhelmingly prevailing request by the international scientific community, and with respect for eco-compatibility issues, CEM is now published exclusively online.