Correlation of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio with Waist Circumference, Insulin Resistance and Lipid Profile in Metabolic Syndrome and Healthy Controls

Background: Metabolic syndrome encompasses a spectrum of interconnected derangements, such as central adiposity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and high blood pressure. Low-grade chronic inflammation has a major contribution in the onset and progress of metabolic syndrome. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is a well-recognized predictive index for various inflammatory disorders.Objective: To determine the correlation of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio with insulin resistance, waist circumference, serum triglycerides and high-density lipoproteins in metabolic syndrome and healthy group. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study undertaken at University of Health Sciences Lahore, from October 2019 to September 2022. Approval was obtained from the Ethical Board of the University of Health Sciences. . The subject recruitment was from the Endocrine and Diabetes Clinic of Sheikh Zaid Institute, Lahore. Anthropometric measures and biochemical variables were determined. Data was analyzed by the software; SPSS 27.Results: The present study comprised of 90 patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome and 50 controls. In both groups, only male patients were present. The median (IQR) age of the participants with and without metabolic syndrome was found to be 44(40-49.5) and 41(43-49) respectively. The waist circumference, systolic as well as diastolic blood pressure was higher substantially in metabolic syndrome group compared with the healthier (p<0.001). Fasting serum glucose, insulin and triglycerides showed a significant difference among both groups statistically (p<0.001). There was a positive correlation of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio with waist circumference (p=0.006) and HOMA-IR (p=0.005) in metabolic syndrome group and significant inverse relation with high density lipoproteins (p=0.007) in healthier ones.Conclusion: The positive correlation of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio with insulin resistance and waist circumference in metabolic syndrome highlights the role of chronic inflammation in the disease process.