Abstract | BACKGROUND: Disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is evaluated by composite measures, such as Disease Activity Score ( DAS). Recently, much attention has been paid to a neutrophil-lymphocyte (N/L) ratio to evaluate the prognosis and the efficacy of intervention in various diseases. To determine whether the N/L ratio is a prognostic marker or a surrogate marker of response to biologics, this study investigated the N/L ratio in RA patients treated with biological agents. METHODS: RESULTS: The average N/L ratio significantly decreased from 5.9 at baseline to 4.5 6 months after the treatment. The N/L ratio and the DAS28-ESR, both at baseline and 6 months after the treatment, were modestly but significantly correlated. The N/L ratio was greater in patients with high disease activity than in patients with low disease sactivity. The change of the N/L ratio (ΔN/L) and the change of the DAS28-ESR were modestly but significantly correlated. Regarding the therapeutic response, the N/L ratio at baseline showed no significant difference between the response criteria; however, the N/L ratio after 6 months of treatment and the ΔN/L ratio differed significantly. The ΔN/L was also significantly correlated with the change of the serum level of C-reactive protein and the change of the DAS28-ESR. CONCLUSION: The N/L ratio is a marker of disease activity in RA. The ΔN/L ratio reflects the efficacy of biological agents but does not predict the response to biological agents.
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Authors | Masahito Koiwa, Susumu Goto, Kenji Takahashi, Toshikazu Kamada, Shinro Takai, Hiroshi Nakamura |
Journal | Journal of Nippon Medical School = Nippon Ika Daigaku zasshi
(J Nippon Med Sch)
Vol. 83
Issue 3
Pg. 118-24
( 2016)
ISSN: 1347-3409 [Electronic] Japan |
PMID | 27430176
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Biological Factors
- Biomarkers
- Prednisolone
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid
(blood, drug therapy)
- Biological Factors
(therapeutic use)
- Biomarkers
(blood)
- Blood Sedimentation
- Demography
- Female
- Humans
- Inflammation
(blood)
- Leukocyte Count
- Lymphocytes
(pathology)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Neutrophils
(pathology)
- Prednisolone
(therapeutic use)
- Treatment Outcome
- Young Adult
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