Purpose: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) have been extensively studied in a variety of diseases. However, research on their relationship with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is limited. The aim of our study was to investigate the association between these two indicators and renal function in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes and assess whether they can serve as predictors of DKD.
Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 655 Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes. Subjects were divided into three groups according to the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR). The differences in the NLR and PLR among the groups and their correlation with renal function were analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze independent risk factors for DKD, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the predictive values of the NLR and PLR for the disease.
Results: The NLR and PLR were significantly different among the three groups, and they increased with increasing levels of albuminuria. Pearson’s correlation analysis showed that the NLR and PLR were positively correlated with the UACR but negatively correlated with the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that these two indicators were independent risk factors for DKD (p < 0.001). The results of ROC curve analysis suggested that the NLR (AUC=0.794; 95% CI, 0.760– 0.827; p < 0.001) and PLR (AUC=0.665; 95% CI, 0.623– 0.706, p < 0.001) had important diagnostic value for DKD.
Conclusion: The NLR and PLR were closely associated with renal function among Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes, and high NLR and PLR values may serve as predictors of DKD.
Keywords: diabetic kidney disease, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, renal function, inflammation