HALP score based on hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte and platelet can predict the prognosis of tongue squamous cell carcinoma patients

Predictive value of the Hemoglobin, Albumin, Lymphocyte and Platelet score for mortality in geriatric patients presenting to the emergency department

AIM

The Hemoglobin, Albumin, Lymphocyte and Platelet (HALP) score, calculated as hemoglobin × albumin × lymphocytes / platelets, serves as a novel biomarker that can provide insights into a patient's nutritional status, anemia status and inflammatory processes. This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of the HALP score for mortality among geriatric patients presenting to the emergency department.

METHODS

This retrospective study was carried out at the emergency department of a tertiary hospital. Patients aged ≥65 years who presented to the emergency department between 1 January 2018 and 1 January 2024 were included in the study. A total of 62 262 patients who visited our emergency department were enrolled. Patient data, including hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte and platelet values; age; sex, the reason for hospital presentation; and outcome (mortality or discharge) were obtained from electronic medical records. HALP scores were calculated for the patients, and statistical analyses were carried out.

RESULTS

Of the patients, 32 410 were men, and the mean age was 73 years. Within this cohort, in-hospital mortality occurred in 3093 of the patients. The HALP score was significantly lower in patients who died compared with those who were discharged (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Due to its cost-effectiveness and ease of calculation, the HALP score appears to be more feasible in predicting mortality in the emergency department compared with other scoring systems. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2025; ••: ••-••.

Predictive Utility of the HALP and Modified HALP Score for the Assessment of Operative Complications in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Acute Cholecystitis

Background and Objectives: The aim of the present study was to calculate HALP and modified HALP scores for patients diagnosed with acute cholecystitis (AC) and to determine the predictive utility of these scores for surgical timing and morbidity in patients who underwent surgery for AC. Materials and Methods: This study included data from 641 patients who underwent surgery for AC between January 2010 and May 2023. The HALP score was calculated using the formula hemoglobin (g/L) × albumin (g/L) × lymphocyte (109/L)/platelets (109/L). The modified HALP score was calculated using the formula hemoglobin (g/L) × albumin (g/L) × lymphocyte (109/L) × platelets (109/L). Results: The mean HALP score was 46.81, and the mean modified HALP score was 2,758,401.21. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) was successfully completed in 582 (90.8%) patients. When examining the relationship between HALP and modified HALP scores and the procedure type, a statistically significant difference was found in the distribution of median HALP and modified HALP scores between the LC and laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy (LTOC) groups. For patients with a HALP score < 34.43 and modified HALP score < 2,077,019, the likelihood of conversion to open surgery increased, with a sensitivity of 65.5% vs. 58.8% and a specificity of 66.1% vs. 59.3%. In patients who underwent surgery, there was a significant difference in the LTOC between the HALP score and modified HALP score cut-off groups (p < 0.001 and, p = 0.007). Conclusions: Evaluation of the HALP score is a promising and valuable assessment method for designing appropriate treatment and management strategies for patients with AC.

Association of the hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet score with the risk of Erectile dysfunction: a cross-sectional study

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is related to nutritional and inflammatory factors. The hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet score (HALP), a new index reflecting the nutritional and inflammatory status, has been associated with a higher risk of diabetic retinopathy, particularly at lower values (≤ 42.9). However, studies focusing on the relationship between HALP and ED risk are scarce. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the association between HALP and ED. Data were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 2001 and 2004. Based on self-reported data, participants were classified into either the ED group or the non-ED group. Next, the HALP score was categorized into four quartiles (Q1-4). Weighted multivariate regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between categorical HALP and ED risk. Additionally, restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis was conducted to examine the association between continuous HALP scores and ED risk. Furthermore, subgroup analyses were conducted to examine the association between categorical HALP and the risk of ED based on age, as well as the status of hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Finally, a mediation analysis was carried out to investigate the mediating effect of HALP and related parameters on the association between urinary cobalt levels and ED. Initially, the data of 21,161 participants were collected. After implementing the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 3406 participants were included in the final analyses. Weighted multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that the Q4 HALP group was associated with a lower risk of ED (OR 0.96, 95% confidence intervals 0.92-1.00, P = 0.037). Meanwhile, RCS analysis showed that HALP was nonlinearly associated with the risk of ED. In addition, subgroup analyses demonstrated that participants in the Q3/4 HALP group had a significantly lower ED risk than those in the Q1 group among patients aged ≥ 50 years, as well as those with hypertension and diabetes. Lastly, mediation analysis revealed that HALP and its associated parameters had a marginal average causal mediation effect on the relationship between urinary cobalt levels and ED risk (P > 0.05). In US adults, high HALP scores were correlated with a lower risk of ED. The relationship was more pronounced in participants aged ≥ 50 years with hypertension and diabetes. Furthermore, HALP and its parameters may not mediate the association between urinary cobalt levels and ED risk.

Host-related indexes in head and neck cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Peripheral blood host-related indexes have been widely studied in cancer patients. Several authors have shown the prognostic capacity of these indexes in head and neck cancer. Therefore, there has been an increasing interest in this topic recently.

RECENT FINDINGS

The main variables analyzed and used to create these host-related indexes are peripheral blood leukocytes - including neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes - albumin and hemoglobin levels. Other factors with proven prognostic capacity in some studies are: platelets, C-reactive protein, and BMI. Among all the combined indexes, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio has been the most accepted and used worldwide. Nonetheless, there are other indexes which group multiple of these factors that have shown better prognostic capacity, and are promising in the near future.

SUMMARY

Host-related indexes are ideal biomarkers to be used on our daily-basis. There is enough evidence to start considering them when assessing patients with head and neck cancer.