Neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio and platelet–lymphocyte ratio as possible diagnostic adjuncts in oral submucous fibrosis and oral squamous cell carcinoma patients: An observational study
Bharti Kumari, Niroshini Rajaram, Lalsangliana Ralte, Hossam R. Alkashgari, Neeharika Soorneedi, Ahtesham Ahmad Qurishi, Suresh J. Babu, C. Swarnalatha, Abhishek Singh NayyarIntroduction:
Existing literature suggests that oral potentially malignant epithelial lesions (oral PMELs) show increased predisposition towards frank malignant transformations. Furthermore, while numerous studies have assessed neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in various general body cancers, limited research has explored these markers in the context of oral PMELs and oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs). The present study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic role of NLR and PLR in oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), one of the well-known oral PMELs, and OSCC patients.
Materials and Methods:
The present observational study included 99 subjects/patients, divided into three groups, with 33 patients clinically diagnosed with OSMF constituting Group A, 33 patients with clinically diagnosed and histopathologically proven OSCC constituting Group B, and 33 age-and sex-matched normal, healthy adults (acting as controls) constituting Group C. Furthermore, complete blood counts were assessed for all subjects/patients, while the data obtained were statistically analyzed.
Results:
The mean NLR and PLR values showed a gradual increase from the controls to OSMF to OSCC patients (the mean NLR being 2.19 ± 0.26 in controls to 2.30 ± 0.90 in OSMF and 4.64 ± 2.42 in OSCC patients, with the mean PLR being 0.06 ± 0.01 in controls to 0.07 ± 0.02 in OSMF and 0.15 ± 0.08 in OSCC patients) with the results being statistically highly significant (
Conclusions:
The study concluded that the mean NLR and PLR values may serve as possible diagnostic adjuncts in OSMF and OSCC patients, implying the role of the same as potential clinical markers during the ongoing process of malignant transformation.
The following core competencies are addressed in this article:
Practice-based learning and improvement, Patient care and procedural skills, Systems-based practice, Medical knowledge.