Evaluation of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in patients with hashimoto's thyroiditis

Objective: Hashimato's thyroiditis (HT) is the most common form of thyroiditis with an autoimmune etiology. It is also the most common cause of acquired hypothyroidism and is characterized histopathologically by diffuse mononuclear cell infiltration, parenchymal atrophy, fibrosis, and oxyphilic cell metaplasia in the thyroid parenchyma. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a cheap and easy indicator of subclinical inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios of patients diagnosed with HT and healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: This study included patients diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis aged between 18 and 70 years who presented to the Bezmialem Vakif University Faculty of Medicine Hospital between 01/06/2020 and 01/06/2022, as well as a control group consisting of healthy individuals without any other diseases. A total of 100 individuals, comprising 50 cases and 50 controls, were included. The hospital's Nucleus system was retrospectively scanned, and patients who had undergone complete blood count, C-reactive protein (CRP), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO), anti-thyroglobulin (anti-TG) antibody tests, and thyroid ultrasound within the specified date range were divided into two groups: patients diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (case group) and healthy individuals (control group). The relationship between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) of the case and control groups was evaluated. Results: There were no significant differences in mean age, gender, lymphocyte count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, CRP, T3, or T4 levels between the study groups. The mean values of leukocyte count, neutrophil count, and TSH were found to be higher in the HT patient group compared to the healthy group, and these differences were statistically significant (p: 0.026, p < 0.001, p: 0.002, respectively). The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) of the HT group was 2.14 (1-3.76), while the NLR of the healthy control group was 1.48 (0.81-3.5). The difference between the groups was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The anti-TPO and anti-TG values, which are used in the diagnosis of HT, were found to be higher in the patient group compared to the control group. Conclusion: The NLR of the HT group (2.14 [1-3.76]) was significantly higher than that of the control group (1.48 [0.81-3.5]) (p < 0.001). The NLR is considered an inexpensive and easy indicator of subclinical inflammation. HT is a disease characterized by lymphocytic inflammation of the thyroid gland, and it is associated with a significant inflammatory burden. The increased NLR observed in HT patients compared to controls in this study is likely to be a result of chronic inflammation. Keywords: Hashimato's Thyroiditis, Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio