Role of Neutrophil to Lymphocyte and Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratios in Early Detection of Gastric Cancer in Patients with Uncomplicated dyspepsia

Abstract

Background:

Dyspepsia is a common presentation in both benign and serious conditions, such as gastric cancer. Early recognition and management of gastric cancer in patients with dyspepsia play a crucial role in improving survival rates. This study aimed to assess the paraclinical utility of the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) as potential screening biomarkers for the early diagnosis of gastric cancer in patients with uncomplicated dyspepsia.

Material and Methods:

 The case-control study included 64 patients diagnosed with gastric cancer who initially presented with dyspepsia and 102 patients with dyspepsia who were not diagnosed with gastric cancer as controls. All participants were selected based on the absence of alarming symptoms and signs, except for dyspepsia. Retrospective analysis of selected blood parameters was performed. A receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to define the best cut-off value for NLR and PLR to identify gastric cancer.

Results:

The mean values of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) levels showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups (respectively P<0.003, P<0.001). The cut-off value of NLR was 2.79 (area under the curve [AUC]:0.75, sensitivity: 70.3%, specificity: 67.6%) and 129.2 as the cut-off value of PLR (AUC: 0.77, sensitivity: 71%, specificity: 64.7%).

Conclusions:

The present study suggests that NLR and PLR may be useful as potential screening markers in patients with uncomplicated dyspepsia. Additionally, parameters, even without the presence of alarm signs and symptoms, might alert physicians and lead them to perform an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.