Abstract
Objectives
Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) are markers of inflammation that are elevated in bipolar disorder (BD) and are also related to a higher risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study aimed at investigating for the first time the association between NLR, PLR, and CRP and the metabolic status in BD.
Methods
We assessed the association between biomarkers and the metabolic status: number of metabolic risk factors, presence of MetS, insulin sensitivity (Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index, QUICKI) and insulin resistance (Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance, HOMA-IR index), in a sample of 219 outpatients with BD.
Results
25.9% of the sample met the criteria for MetS. High levels of CRP were found in 12% of the sample. Older age, low PLR, high NLR, and high CRP levels significantly predicted a higher number of MetS risk factors (p < 0.001). Older age and low PLR were associated with a greater likelihood of developing MetS (p = 0.007).
Conclusions
Although further studies are needed to replicate and validate these findings, inflammatory biomarkers as CRP, PLR and NLR could be useful tools to identify patients with a BD at risk for a metabolic adverse outcome.
Acknowledgements
We thank Sharon Grevet, CT, Bachelor's Degree in languages from the University of Pennsylvania, for her English assistance.
Statement of interest
None to declare. She has no financial or other relationship relevant to the subject of this article.