Correlation of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio with chronic spontaneous urticarial: A case–control study

BACKGROUND: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a persistent immune-inflammatory condition. The urticaria activity score 7 (UAS7) evaluates its disease activity. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is recognized as a dependable marker for inflammation in various conditions. AIM: The aim of the study was to examine the NLR in CSU patients and its association with the UAS7. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 60 patients diagnosed with CSU who visited the dermatology department and 60 healthy individuals for comparison. The patients were categorized based on the UAS7. NLR values were computed and compared between the case and control groups. RESULTS: The mean neutrophils level was higher in cases than in controls with no statistical significance (P = 0.2). The mean lymphocyte levels were higher in controls than in cases with no statistical significance (P = 0.591). Thus, the mean NLR was higher in cases than in controls (1.84 vs. 1.71), with no statistical significance (P = 0.283). There was no significant correlation established between the NLR and the severity of CSU (P = 0.912). CONCLUSION: The NLR serves as a practical, straightforward, and economical blood marker capable of identifying systemic inflammatory processes. This research did not establish that the ratio could function as an indicator of inflammation. Additional studies are imperative to confirm the existence of inflammation in CSU.