Correlation between the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and diabetic foot ulcer in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Relationship between systemic immune inflammation index and amputation in patients with diabetic foot ulcer

AIM

The systemic immune inflammation index (SII) is a cost-effective biomarker calculated by lymphocyte, neutrophil and platelet counts and is currently being studied in various diseases. Since there is no study examining the relationship between SII and diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) in the literature, our aim was to investigate the relationship between SII and amputation rate in DFU.

METHODS

Type 2 DM 511 patients with DFU were screened from 2017 to 2021. Laboratory data obtained on the first day of hospitalization were considered. Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and SII were calculated from routine blood count. Participants were divided into two groups as amputation (Group 1) and non-amputation (Group 2).

RESULTS

Amputation rate was 18.8%. The A1c (8.80 (3.26) % vs. 9.52 (3.10) %, p = 0.007) and HGB (10.17 ± 2.16 g/dL vs. 12.05 ± 2.20 g/dL, p < 0.001) levels, and lymphocyte count (1.81 (1.16) vs. 2.05 (1.11), p = 0.015) were significantly lower in Group 1 than Group 2. The counts of WBC (14.01 (9.16) × 109/L vs. 10.41 (5.82) × 109/L), PLT (393.35 (196.98) × 109/L vs. 312.05 (141.33) × 109/L), neutrophil (11.52 (8.75) × 109/L vs. 6.93 (5.96) × 109/L), PLR (226.04 (159.24) × 109/L vs. 153.12 (101.91) × 109/L), NLR (6.64 (6.93) vs. 3.34 (3.99)) and SII (2505.86 (3957.47) × 109/L vs. 1092.50 (1476.08) × 109/L), and the levels of CRP (14.12 (12.66) mg/dL vs. 3.86 (12.63) mg/dL) and ESR (87.50 (50.50) mm/h vs. 63.00 (57.25) mm/h) were significantly higher in Group 1 than Group 2 (all p < 0.001). AUC of ROC analysis of PLR was 0.666 (95% CI, 0.604-0.728), NLR was 0.695 (95% CI, 0.638-0.752) and SII was 0.716 (95% CI, 0.661-0.772) for the predicting of amputation and the SII had the best AUC with 67.4% sensitivity and 63.3%specificty.

CONCLUSION

SII is a cost-effective and readily available marker, but alone may not be sufficient to predict the risk of amputation in DFU. In our results, the predictive role of SII alone or with other markers for future DFU and its role in predicting other chronic diabetic complications will be evaluated in extensive studies.

Comparison of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, platelet to lymphocyte ratio, and C-reactive protein in predicting osteomyelitis in patients with diabetic foot ulcer

Introduction

Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet/ lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are readily available and inexpensive biomarkers that have received great attention for diagnosing type 2 diabetes(T2DM) complications. The objective of the present cross-sectional study was to compare diagnostic values of these biomarkers with C-reactive protein(CRP) in detecting diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) and osteomyelitis (OS) and discriminating between the degree of DFU according to Wagner's classification.

Methods

A total of 217 individuals (42 healthy controls, 40 T2DM patients without DFU, and 135 patients with DFU) were enrolled. The DFU patients were classified according to Wagner's classification into grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3. Blood samples were obtained and various biochemical and hematological parameters including creatine, CRP, HbA1c, NLR, and PLR were measured.

Results

The levels of CRP, PLR, and NLR were significantly higher in the patients with DFU and OS compared to healthy controls and T2DM patients without DFU. The median values of CRP were correlated with the severity of DFU and increased with DFU grades. The highest values of CRP, NLR, and PLR were observed in the DFU patients with OS which were significantly higher than those of DFU patients with grades 1 and 2 as well as T2DM patients without DFU. The PLR and NLR had no significant performance in diagnosing DFU patients with grades 1 and 2 from the patients without DFU.

Conclusion

NLR and PLR could be useful for diagnosing OS but cannot be used for detecting lower grades of DFU. CRP showed higher performance in detecting OS compared to PLR and NLR.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-023-01327-w.

Risk factors for diabetic foot ulcers: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To systematically evaluate the risk factors for developing diabetic foot ulcers (DFU).

METHODS

The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, SinoMed, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang Data were searched for relevant studies on DFU risk factors, and the search time frame was from database creation to March 2022. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3.

RESULTS

A total of 26 publications were included, including 3 cohort studies, 22 case-control studies, and one cross-sectional study. Meta-analysis showed that advanced age [MD = 6.04, 95% CI (3.92, 8.16)], male [OR = 1.84, 95% CI (1.48, 2.29)], elevated body mass index [MD = 1.58, 95% CI (0.47, 2.69)], prolonged duration of diabetes [MD = 2.72, 95% CI (2.33, 3.11)], comorbid nephropathy [OR = 3.15, 95% CI (2.68, 4.60)], comorbid neuropathy [OR = 4.80, 95% CI (2.79, 8.27)], comorbid retinopathy [OR = 3.37, 95% CI (2.26, 5.02)], elevated systolic blood pressure [OR = 8.19, 95% CI (6.33, 10.05)], elevated fasting glucose [MD = 1.60, 95% CI (0.21, 3.00)], elevated glycated hemoglobin [MD = 1.24, 95% CI (0.94, 1.54)], elevated triglycerides [MD = 0.44 (95% CI (0.15, 0.73)], elevated fibrinogen [MD = 1.35, 95% CI (0.62, 2.08)], elevated white blood cell count [MD = 2.56, 95% CI (2.24, 2.88)], elevated C-reactive protein [MD = 15.08, 95% CI (8.03, 22.13)], decreased ankle-brachial ratio [MD = -0.26, 95% CI (-0.36, -0.16)], and decreased total protein levels [MD = -4.58, 95% CI (-6.91, -2.25)] were risk factors for developing DFU (p < 0.05), and increased HDL cholesterol levels [MD = -0.22, 95% CI (-0.36, -0.08)] were protective factor for developing DFU (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

There are many risk factors for developing of ulcers in the diabetic feet, and early prevention and intervention should be performed as early as possible to assess the risk of developing diabetic foot patients.

The impact of inflammatory biomarkers on amputation rates in patients with diabetic foot ulcers

Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFUs) are a major complication of diabetes, often leading to amputation. Understanding the relationship between haematological inflammatory markers and the incidence of amputation in DFU patients with infectious complications is crucial for improving management and outcomes. This retrospective study, conducted from May 2020 to October 2022, involved 109 patients with DFUs, categorised into amputation (AM) and non-amputation (NAM) groups. Patients were evaluated for various factors, including demographic data, DFU duration, and blood parameters such as haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), haemoglobin (Hb), albumin (ALB), white blood cell count (WBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR). Statistical analyses were performed using independent sample t-tests, Mann-Whitney U test and logistic regression. The univariate analysis showed no significant difference in BMI, DM duration or DFU duration between groups. However, significant differences were noted in PCT, Hb, ESR, ALB, HbA1c and WBC levels, and in inflammatory ratios (NLR, PLR and LMR). Multivariate logistic regression identified CRP, NLR and PLR as independent risk factors for amputation. The study highlights CRP, PLR and NLR as key independent risk factors for amputation in patients with DFUs. These easily obtainable markers from routine blood tests can effectively aid in predicting the risk of osteomyelitis and amputation, enhancing clinical decision making and patient care strategies.

Correlation between insulin resistance and the rate of neutrophils-lymphocytes, monocytes-lymphocytes, platelets-lymphocytes in type 2 diabetic patients

BACKGROUND

Insulin resistance (IR) was a prominent feature commonly observed in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). T2DM Individuals often exhibited a concomitant presence of low-grade chronic inflammation. In this study conducted retrospectively, the aim was to investigate the connection between neutrophils-lymphocytes rate (NLR), monocytes-lymphocytes rate (MLR), platelets-lymphocytes rate (PLR) and IR, specifically among individuals with T2DM.

METHOD

This study encompassed a cohort of 405 individuals diagnosed with T2DM, comprising cases from January 2021 to November 2022. On the basis of whether there was IR or not, these sufferers were categorized into two cohorts, namely T2DM with IR group (292 cases) and T2DM without IR group (113 cases), as determined by a homeostasis model assessment-IR (HOMA-IR) value exceeding 2.0.

RESULTS

The findings of this study demonstrated compelling evidence of distinct biomarker profiles between individuals with T2DM who had IR and those without IR. Specifically, the IR individuals displayed notably raise NLR, MLR, PLR, C reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA). Additionally, there was a noticeable decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. Furthermore, IR was negatively correlated with SOD values, while positive associations were found between IR and NLR, CRP, and SAA levels (p < 0.05). Moreover, a rise in NLR and PLR levels demonstrated an identical relationship with the prevalence of IR (p = 0.007, p = 0.025, separately). The Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve demonstrated that the areas under the curve (AUC) for NLR, MLR, PLR, CRP, SAA and SOD in predicting occurrence of IR in T2DM patients were 0.603, 0.575, 0.581, 0.644, 0.594 and 0.632 respectively, with sensitivity of 79.5%, 95.2%, 46.9%,54.1% (or 51.4), 47.6% (or 45.7%) and 98.6% and specificity of 37.2%, 19.5%, 69.9%, 69% (or 71.7%), 71.6% (or 73.5%) and 23% respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our findings support the notion that higher magnitude of NLR, PLR, MLR, CRP, and SAA values, corresponded to lower SOD levels, indicating a more severe degree of IR in T2DM patients. Additionally, NLR, PLR, MLR, CRP, SAA, and SOD demonstrated predictive potential for assessing IR. Regrettably, due to the retrospective nature of this study, it was not feasible to take a measurement the majority of inflammatory factors and reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and serum hsCRP levels in third trimester and adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with gestational diabetes mellitus

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a major complication of pregnancy. GDM is associated with a higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO). The purpose of this study was to assess the association between third-trimester platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) concentration and the risk of APO in GDM pregnant women. This study selected 406 non-elderly gestational diabetes patients diagnosed in the Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from May 2021 to February 2023 as the research objects. According to the presence or absence of APO, they were divided into an APO group (n = 171) and a non-APO group (n = 235). Logistic regression model to evaluate the correlation between PLR and hsCRP and APO in women with GDM; Restricted cubic spline analyses was used to explore nonlinear correlations between PLR or hsCRP and the risk of APO; ROC curve analysis of the diagnostic performance of PLR and hsCRP for APO in women with GDM. APO occurred in 171 of the 406 included participants. Compared with the non-APO group, patients in the APO group had higher PLR and hsCRP levels. The incidence of APO was positively associated with PLR and the hsCRP level in each logistic regression model (P < 0.05). After adjusting for all the risk factors included in this study, restricted cubic spline analyses found that the PLR and the hsCRP level were positively associated with the risk of APO. The levels of PLR and hsCRP in the third trimester are related to the occurrence of APO in women with GDM, and high levels of PLR and hsCRP may indicate the occurrence of APO.

Basic haematological tests as inflammatory performance markers of patients treated either by conservative surgery or minor amputation for infected diabetic foot ulcers

Basic inflammatory markers have been extensively studied to differentiate between non-infected and infected diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Very rarely, basic haematological tests such as white cell count (WCC) and platelet counts were used as performance markers for DFU infection severity. The aim is to investigate these biomarkers in patients with DFU treated exclusively with surgery. In this retrospective comparative study, we included 154 procedures comparing a conservative surgery group (n = 66 for infected DFU) and a minor amputation group (n = 88 for infected DFU with osteomyelitis). Outcomes were set as the preoperative values of: WCC, neutrophils (N), lymphocytes (L), Monocytes (M), Platelets (P), red cell distribution width (RDW) and the ratios N/L, L/M and P/L. Area under curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) was calculated based on the diagnosis of minor amputation as a positive result. Cutoff point values with the highest sensitivity and specificity were obtained for each outcome. The highest AUC values were for WCC (0.68), neutrophils (0.68), platelets (0.7) and P/L ratio (0.69) with corresponding cut-off values of 10,650/mm3 , 76%, 234,000/mcL and 265, respectively. The highest sensitivity was for the platelet count (81.5%) while the highest specificity was for L/M (89%) and P/L ratios (87%). Postoperative values showed similar results. Simple routine blood tests could serve as inflammatory performance markers to help predict the severity of infection in patients treated surgically for infected DFU.

Role of hematological parameters in pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus: A review of the literature

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is characterized by hyperglycemia and abnormalities in insulin secretion and activity. There are numerous hematological parameters; however, this review article only focuses on red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cell indices, platelet count, white blood cells, lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio, which play an essential role in the pathogenesis of DM. Also, this review article aims to report the relationship between these hematological parameters and the development of DM. In con-clusion, this article shows that increased levels of platelets, red blood cells, hematocrit, lymphocytes, eosinophils, neutrophils, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio and decreased levels of hemoglobin are involved in the pathogenesis of DM. However, the role of basophils in DM is unknown yet.

Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Predicts the Presence of Diabetic Neurogenic Bladder

PURPOSE

Diabetic neurogenic bladder (DNB) has been widely recognized in recent years. It is common in patients with long-term diabetes and may also lead to many severe complications. Although there has been widespread evidence that inflammation is involved in the development of some diabetic complications, there is little evidence that this can also occur in the bladder. In recent years, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) have been viewed as potential novel markers of inflammatory responses. This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between the presence of DNB and the PLR and NLR.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 371 cases of T2DM patients were included in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into two groups, with 115 diabetic subjects diagnosed with diabetic neurogenic bladder and 256 control subjects without DNB. The independent predictors of DNB were analyzed using logistic regression.

RESULTS

Compared with patients without DNB, the mean PLR and NLR were significantly higher in those with DNB (p < 0.001). Based on the logistic regression, PLR was found to be an independent risk factor for DNB (odds ratio [OR]: 1.408, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.248-1.617). From the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, using PLR as indicative of DNB was expected to be 101.1949, and it generated a sensitivity and specificity value of 89.6% and 23.4%, respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) was also found to be 0.899 (95% CI: 0.865-0.932).

CONCLUSION

In our study, PLR and NLR were significantly higher for patients with DNB. The PLR was found to be a risk factor in the presence of DNB after correcting for possible confounding factors. Considering the severe complications associated with DNB, patients with elevated PLR should be seriously cared for in clinics.

Association between Lipid Profile and Apolipoproteins with Risk of Diabetic Foot Ulcer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Biomarkers are necessary to stratify the risk of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between the lipid profile and apolipoproteins with the risk of DFU.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science among adult patients. Cohort and case-control studies were included. Random-effects models were used for meta-analyses, and the effects were expressed as odds ratio (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We evaluated publication bias through Egger's test and funnel plot.

RESULTS

A total of 12 cohort studies and 26 case-control studies were included, with 17076 patients. We found that the higher values of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides, and lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) were associated with a higher risk of developing DFU (OR: 1.47, OR: 1.47, OR: 1.5, OR: 1.85, respectively). Otherwise, the lower values of HDL were associated with a higher risk of developing DFU (OR: 0.49). Publication bias was not found for associations between TC, HDL, LDL, or TG and the risk of DFU.

CONCLUSIONS

The high values of LDL, TC, TG, and Lp(a) and low values of HDL are associated with a higher risk of developing DFU. Furthermore, we did not find a significant association for VLDL, ApoA1, ApoB, and ApoB/ApoA1 ratio.

Research on the correlation of immunity in patients with chronic insomnia

PURPOSE

To investigate the changes in immunity and clinical infection events among patients with chronic insomnia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-two patients with chronic insomnia (age = 64.44 ± 10.53) and 47 normal controls (age = 67.08 ± 7.822) were selected to determine differences in data, such as complete blood counts (CBCs), biochemical indices, lymphocyte subsets, immunoglobulin (Ig), complement C3 and C4 and interleukin-6 (IL-6), as well as to compare the incidence of clinical infection between the two groups.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in erythrocyte, hemoglobin, hematocrit, albumin, globulin, creatinine, IgG, IgG/IgM ratio, CD4⁺ T-lymphocytes, CD19-lymphocytes, CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio, platelet/lymphocyte ratio, CD19/CD3 ratio, and clinical infection events between the chronic insomnia group and the control group (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, and platelet counts; lymphocyte subsets CD8⁺ T and CD56⁺; platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR); neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR); complement C3; complement C4; IgM; IgA; and IL-6 between the experimental group and their controls (p > 0.05). The systolic and diastolic blood pressures of the chronic insomnia group did not vary widely from those of the controls (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Patients with chronic insomnia have immunological abnormalities, characterized by a higher incidence of clinical infection.