Study of Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) and C Reactive Protein (CRP) as Systemic Biomarkers of Inflammation among Apparently Healthy Egyptian Obese Subjects

Abstract Background Obesity is presumed to be a chronic state of subclinical inflammation which is a major risk factor for many disorders. Objective is to evaluate Neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and C reactive protein (CRP) as biomarkers for the inflammatory state associated with obesity among apparently healthy Egyptian subjects. Patients and Methods The present study was conducted on 60 apparently healthy individuals, including 30 obese subjects and 30 non-obese subjects. They were recruited from the outpatient departments of Ain Shams University Hospitals. Inflammatory biomarkers NLR, PLR and CRP were compared between both groups. Results There was a statistically significant increase in the PLR and CRP level in the obese group compared to the non obese group while there was no statistically significant increase in the NLR between both groups. Conclusion Both CRP and PLR (but not NLR) can be used as markers for estimation of ongoing subclinical inflammation in apparently healthy obese subjects.