Exploring the role of systemic immune-inflammation index and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in cardiovascular risk stratification for patients with hidradenitis suppurativa: A cross-sectional study

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the hair follicle that has previously been associated with a higher cardiovascular risk (CVR). Although different methods have been described for CVR stratification in HS, there is little evidence about the role of hemogram indexes in CVR in HS. Given its potential convenience, the aim of this study was to assess the role of the hemogram indexes systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in CVR stratification for patients with HS. A cross-sectional study was performed to assess the role of SII and NLR in CVR stratification in patients with moderate to severe HS who were candidates for biologic therapy. SII, NLR, carotid intima-media thickness, and other clinical and biochemical CVR factors were assessed before the start of the treatment. Fifty patients were included. The male:female ratio was 3:2, and the mean International Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity Score System score was 21.6. After multivariate analysis, SII correlated with higher values of systolic blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, and higher risk of insulin resistance (p < 0.05). NLR was associated with insulin resistance (p < 0.05). These associations were independent of age, sex, body mass index, severity of the disease, and tobacco consumption. The implementation of SII and NLR in daily practice may be of benefit for identifying patients with HS at higher risk of high blood pressure, insulin resistance, or metabolic syndrome. Since these indexes are simple to calculate, they could be used as a screening tool in HS-specific units.