Diagnosis and differential diagnosis values of indirect markers of inflammation in atopic children

Abstract

Atopic diseases are characterized by intense inflammation. There are increasing studies examining the relationship between atopic diseases and hematological parameters and indirect markers of inflammation, such as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), eosinophil-tolymphocyte ratio (ELR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR). The aim of this study was to investigate these parameters in patients with asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. The study was conducted retrospectively and cross-sectionally. The study group consisted of 172 patients (53 with asthma, 93 with allergic rhinitis, and 26 with atopic dermatitis) and 105 controls. There were no age or gender differences between patients and controls. When all atopic patients were compared to controls, ELR (P < 0.001), eosinophil count (P < 0.0019), and WBC (P < 0.05) were significantly higher in the patient group. When patient groups were compared independently, ELR (P < 0.001), eosinophil count (P < 0.001), and WBC (P < 0.05) were higher in asthmatic patients than in controls. In allergic rhinitis patients, ELR (P < 0.001) and eosinophil count (P < 0.001) were higher than in controls. In patients with atopic dermatitis, ELR (P < 0.001), eosinophil count (P > 0.001), WBC (P = 0.0019), and, additionally, NLR (P < 0.001) and PLR (P < 0.05) were higher than in controls. NLR and PLR were significantly higher in patients with atopic dermatitis than in controls, in patients with asthma and in patients with allergic rhinitis. Among all hemogram parameters, only ELR and eosinophil count stand out as markers that may be useful in the diagnosis of atopic diseases. NLR and PLR may be useful in the differential diagnosis of AD among atopic patients. © 2026 Codon Publications. Published by Codon Publications.