Evaluation of the Association Between the Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio and Mortality in the Patients Followed up with the Diagnosis of Sepsis

Aim: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an easily measurable biomarker from complete blood count. NLR has been investigated previously as a potential predictor of survival rates in various types of cancers. However, there is a limited number of studies performed regarding the usefulness of NLR for predicting mortality in patients with sepsis. Our aim in this study was to evaluate the association between NLR and mortality of the patients with sepsis in an intensive care unit (ICU). Material and Method: We retrospectively assessed the patients who were followed up with the diagnosis of sepsis in the internal medicine ICU of our hospital between September 1, 2014 and December 31, 2015. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were obtained from the patients%u2019 medical records. Results: A total of 104 patients were included in the study. ICU mortality was 57.7% in patients with sepsis. When survivors and non-survivors in theICU were assessed regarding neutrophil counts, lymphocyte counts, and NLR, no statistically significant difference was determined (p>0.05). While the mortality rate in ICU increased with increasing quartile of NLR, no significant difference was determined in ICU mortality (all p>0.05). Also there was no relationship between NLR and hospital mortality and 6-months mortality in patients with sepsis (p>0.05).Discussion: No significant correlation was found between NLR and mortality rate in the ICU and long-term mortality in patients with sepsis