Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio in Patients With Familial Mediterranean Fever

BackgroundBlood neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (N/L) ratio is an indicator of the overall inflammatory status of the body, and an alteration in N/L ratio may be found in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). The aim of this study was to investigate the interrelationship between N/L ratio and FMF. MethodsOne hundred and fifteen patients and controls were enrolled in the study. The cases in the study were categorized as FMF with attack, FMF with attack-free period, and controls. The neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were recorded, and the N/L ratio was calculated from these parameters. All patients were diagnosed according to Tel Hashomer criteria. ResultsA total of 79 FMF patients were included in the study and all subjects were receiving colchicine treatment at the time. The serum N/L ratios of active patients were significantly higher than those of attack-free FMF patients and controls (P < 0.001). The optimum N/L ratio cut-off point for active FMF was 2.63 with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 0.62 (0.41-0.80), 0.85 (0.72-0.93), 0.67 (0.44-0.85), and 0.82 (0.69-0.91), respectively. The overall accuracy of the N/L ratio in determination of FMF patients during attack was 71%. ConclusionOur results demonstrate that N/L ratio is higher in patients with active FMF compared with FMF patients in remission and controls, and a cut-off value of 2.63 can be used to identify patients with active FMF.