Evaluation of the laboratory parameters in hidradenitis suppurativa: Can we use new inflammatory biomarkers?

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, recurrent, and debilitating skin disease. Recent studies showed that inflammatory biomarkers, such as neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), Lymphocyte/HDL ratio (LHR), Neutrophil/HDL ratio (NHR), and Monocyte/HDL ratio (MHR) are an indicator of inflammatory diseases and may be associated with disease severity and disease activity. To investigate NLR, PLR, LHR, NHR, and MHR in HS patients. In addition, to compare erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), complete blood count, leukocyte profile, and biochemical parameters between the control and the patient group. Clinical and biochemical data of patients and healthy subjects were collected from medical records, retrospectively. In total, 166 patients with HS and 124 control subjects were included. We found no significant difference in NLR (P = .207) and PLR (P = .257). LHR (P < .001), NHR (P < .001), and MHR (P < .001) were significantly higher in the patient group. No positive correlation was found between any of these markers and disease severity according to Hurley staging system. However, MCV (Mean corpuscular volume), RDW (Red cell distribution width), and CRP showed a significant positive correlation with disease severity. Among these markers, only MHR was positively correlated with disease duration. Our study shows that CRP still maintains its value for HS patients compared to new inflammation markers. Unlike the studies in other inflammatory diseases, no significant relationship was found with most of these inflammatory parameters. MHR may be more useful in patients with HS as an indicator of inflammation compared to other parameters.