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image of Association of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Systemic Immune Inflammation Index with Inflammatory Burden in Interstitial Lung Diseases

Abstract

Introduction

Interstitial Lung Diseases (ILDs) involve chronic inflammation and fibrosis. Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and Systemic Immune-inflammation Index (SII) are potential systemic inflammation markers. This retrospective case-control study evaluated NLR and SII in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) and Connective-Tissue-Disease-associated ILD (CTD-ILD).

Methods

Medical records from a Bengaluru tertiary-care centre were reviewed (November 2022–November 2023). 120 ILD patients (60 IPF, 60 CTD-ILD) were compared with 120 healthy controls. Patients with COPD, asthma, infections, malignancies, or haematological disorders were excluded. NLR and SII were calculated from routine blood counts at diagnosis. ANOVA was used for statistical analysis ( < 0.05).

Results

Both markers were significantly elevated in ILD patients versus controls. Mean NLR: IPF 6.38 ± 2.1, CTD-ILD 4.53 ± 1.8, controls 1.93 ± 0.9 ( < 0.0001). Mean SII: IPF 1,425.2 ± 510.4, CTD-ILD 1,417.7 ± 478.6, controls 551.4 ± 210.3 ( < 0.0001). No significant difference existed between IPF and CTD-ILD groups ( > 0.05).

Discussion

Elevated NLR and SII reflect heightened systemic inflammation in ILD, supporting their utility as accessible biomarkers. Similar values between IPF and CTD-ILD suggest limited discriminatory power for subtyping but validate their role in assessing inflammatory burden.

Conclusion

NLR and SII are significantly elevated in ILD patients, validating their clinical utility as markers of inflammation. Further prospective studies should establish prognostic value and optimal integration into clinical assessment.

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2026-01-16
2026-02-04

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Association of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Systemic Immune Inflammation Index with Inflammatory Burden in Interstitial Lung Diseases
Bentham Science Publishers ; https://doi.org/10.2174/011573398X404870251126065912
/content/journals/crmr/10.2174/011573398X404870251126065912
/content/journals/crmr/10.2174/011573398X404870251126065912
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  • Article Type:     Research Article
Keywords: systemic immune inflammation index (SII) ; neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) ; Interstitial lung disease (ILD) ; markers of inflammation ; connective tissue disease-associated ILD (CTD-ILD) ; idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)

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