Correlation Between Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte Ratio And Severity Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Objective:To investigate the relationship between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR)and severity of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS).Methods:A total of 158 subjects were recruited and divided into 4 groups based on their apnea hypopnea index(AHI)during sleep.They are normal control group(n=39),mild OSAHS group(n=38),moderate OSAHS group(n=41)and severe OSAHS group(n=40).In addition,31 patients in the severe OSAHS group underwent three months’ continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP)treatment.White blood cells,neutrophils,lymphocytes and NLR were compared among groups as well as before and after CPAP treatment.Results:a)The NLR in the severe OSAHS group(3.29±1.19)was significantly higher than that in the normal control group(1.71±0.69),mild OSAHS group(1.69±0.68)(all P<0.05).Moreover,the NLR in the moderate OSAHS group(2.39±1.21)was significantly higher than that in the normal control group and mild OSAHS group(all P<0.05).However,there was no significant difference in NLR between the normal control group and mild OSAHS group as well as between the moderate OSAHS group and severe OSAHS group(all P>0.05).b)Comparison before and after CPAP treatment showed that NLR was significantly lowered after CPAP treatment(P<0.05).c)There was a positive correlation between AHI and NLR(r=0.718,P<0.01).Conclusions:NLR could be elevated as OSAHS becomes more severe and therefore might be served as a potential assistant parameter for evaluating the severity of OSAHS.