Purpose: This study aimed to explore the relation between lymphocyte to high-density lipoprotein ratio (LHR) and pulmonary function of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients compared with neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR).
Patients and Methods: In total, 154 participants (n = 77 with COPD and n = 77 without COPD) were recruited. LHR, NLR, PLR, lung function and other data were collected and compared. Pearson’s correlation test and the receiver operating characteristics curves were used to compare the utility of LHR, NLR and PLR. Besides, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted.
Results: COPD patients with poorer lung function had a lower LHR level (P < 0.001). In low LHR group, more patients underwent greater airflow limitation than the other group (P = 0.006). LHR positively correlated with forced expiratory volume in 1 second in percent of the predicted value (FEV₁%) (r = 0.333, P = 0.003). At a cut-off value of 2.08, the sensitivity and specificity of LHR in predicting FEV₁% < 50 were 93.2% and 55.6%, respectively, with an AUC of 0.770 (P = 0.001) better than NLR and PLR. Based on logistic regression analyses, it was proved that LHR was associated with decreased risk of FEV₁ < 50% predicted in COPD patients (odds ratio = 0.198, 95% CI: 0.048– 0.811, P = 0.024).
Conclusion: In contrast with NLR and PLR, LHR has higher accuracy for predicting pulmonary function in COPD; lower LHR level is independently associated with poorer pulmonary function.
Keywords: COPD, pulmonary function, lymphocytes, high-density lipoprotein