Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte ratios as inflammatory biomarkers in Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus: Across-sectional study in Maiduguri, Nigeria

Chronic low-grade inflammation leads to complications in Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Haematologic ratios such as Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte (NLR) and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte (PLR) emerge as simple, accessible biomarkers of systemic inflammation with potential utility in monitoring T2DM. The aim of this study was to evaluate NLR and PLR as inflammatory proxies in T2DM and examine their correlations with fasting blood glucose (FBG), Body Mass Index (BMI), and diabetes mellitus duration (DMD). This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 174 adults with T2DM attending the diabetes clinic at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. Sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected, including complete blood counts from which NLR and PLR were derived. Correlation and group comparisons were performed using Spearman's test and Kruskal-Walli's or Mann Whitney's test respectively, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. The mean age of participants was 51.4 years, with a slight male predominance. Most patients had long-standing diabetes and were overweight or obese. NLR was significantly positively correlated with duration of diabetes (r=0.245, p=0.025) and negatively with BMI (r=-0.215, p=0.050). PLR showed a significant positive correlation with fasting blood glucose (FBG) (r=0.214, p=0.050). NLR was significantly higher in patients with longer diabetes duration (p=0.010), but no significant differences in NLR or PLR were found across BMI or FBG categories. NLR and PLR are promising low-cost biomarkers that reflect systemic inflammation in T2DM. Their associations with disease duration and glycaemic control suggest their potential role in clinical monitoring, particularly in resource-limited settings. Routine integration into diabetes care may improve early detection of patients at risk for complications.