Three new inflammatory markers C reactive protein to albumin ratio, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, and platelet to lymphocyte ratio correlated with relapsing polychondritis disease activity index.

OBJECTIVE

The novel inflammatory markers C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were associated with the disease activity of many autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of these new inflammatory indexes with relapsing polychondritis disease activity index (RPDAI).

METHODS

The data of relapsing polychondritis (RP) patients hospitalized between 2004 and 2020 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital were collected. One of the exclusive criteria was that RP patients overlapped with other diseases. Another was the RP patients with incomplete data. A total of 170 RP patients and 170 healthy controls (HCs) were included. The association of new inflammatory makers with RPDAI was assessed by Spearman's correlation analysis.

RESULTS

Compared to HCs, the CAR, NLR, and PLR were significantly higher in RP patients (both p < 0.001). The CAR, NLR, PLR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and neutrophil counts in peripheral blood positively correlated with RPDAI. Blood albumin, lymphocyte count, hemoglobin (Hb) negatively correlated with RPDAI. The association of CAR, NLR, and PLR with RPDAI was demonstrated by Spearman's correlation analysis.

CONCLUSION

The novel inflammatory markers CAR, NLR and PLR were associated with RPDAI. Key Points • This is the first research to explore the association of CAR, NLR, and PLR with disease activity in patients with RP • CAR, NLR, and PLR are positively correlated with RPDAI • CAR, NLR, and PLR might be the potential predictors of disease activity in RP.