Study of the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio as a prognostic indicator in patients with infections.

Abstract

Background: The early diagnosis and accurate prognosis of sepsis are crucial for minimizing both the mortality rate and the associated healthcare costs. Sepsis, a life-threatening condition resulting from the body's response to infection, requires prompt identification and management to improve patient outcomes. Understanding potential biomarkers that can signal severity or predict prognosis is essential for clinicians in making timely and informed decisions.

 Aim: This study investigates the ratio of platelets to lymphocytes (PLR) as a potential warning indicator in patients suffering from infections, particularly those diagnosed with sepsis. By analyzing this ratio, the research seeks to determine its effectiveness in forecasting patient outcomes and guiding treatment strategies.

 Materials and Methods: Conducted as a prospective cohort study at Al-Mouassat University Hospital in Damascus, Syria, this research spanned from March 2023 to March 2024. A total of one hundred individuals diagnosed with sepsis were enrolled in the study. Comprehensive demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected upon their admission to the hospital. Specifically, a complete blood count was performed at the time of diagnosis to facilitate the calculation of the PLR.

 Results: The findings revealed a significant increase in the PLR among patients who did not survive compared to those who did survive. This elevation was consistently observed on days one, three, and five following the diagnosis of sepsis, with a p-value of ≤ 0.05 indicating statistical significance. These results suggest that higher PLR values may correlate with poorer outcomes in sepsis patients.

 Conclusion: The study concludes that in adult patients diagnosed with sepsis, a PLR greater than 230 serves as an effective prognostic indicator for predicting patient outcomes. This threshold can aid healthcare professionals in identifying patients at higher risk of mortality, thereby enabling more targeted interventions and management strategies. The PLR is a simple yet powerful tool that can be readily assessed from routine blood tests, making it a valuable addition to the clinical assessment of sepsis. Further research may explore the integration of PLR into broader clinical protocols to enhance patient care and optimize treatment pathways for those affected by sepsis.