Can inflammatory indices predict myringosclerosis?

OBJECTIVES

To examine the relationships between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in myringosclerosis after ventilation tube insertion (VTI).

METHODS

We conducted this descriptive case-control study between March 2022 and September 2024. A total of 75 children aged 6 to 12 years with a history of VTI were enrolled. Myringosclerosis+ (n=43) included children with myringosclerosis, while Myringosclerosis- (n=32) included children without myringosclerosis. Preoperative values for NLR, PLR, and SII were collected by hematological testing and calculations. Demographic factors, prognostic risk factors and discrimination power of parameters were determined by statistical methods.

RESULTS

Compared to the myringosclerosis-, the myringosclerosis+ had significantly higher NLR, PLR, and SII values (p=0.00, p=0.04, and p=0.01, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve area of NLR is 0,76 (95% CI: 0.65-0.87, p=0.00). Area under curve of SII is 0,62 (95%CI: 0.57-0.81, p=0.01). Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio affects myringosclerosis development at 1.34 with sensitivity=0.63, specificity=0.78. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR) and systemic immune inflammation index(SII) show myringosclerosis development at different powers of predictivity. The ROC area of NLR is highest of all parameters but is moderately predictive (<0.80). It is slight for SII. The NLR may be a marker of prediction of myringosclerosis OR=0.182 (95%CI:0.067-0.496).

CONCLUSION

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and SII are systemic inflammatory prognostic markers in myringosclerosis, and elevated NLR values are a predictor of myringosclerosis with modest affect. Other parameters should be sought in myringosclerosis development.