Platelet to Lymphocyte Percentage Ratio as a Marker of Arterial Stiffness in Hemodialysis Patients‎

Aim of the Work: To evaluate platelet to lymphocyte percentage ratio as a marker of arterial stiffness in hemodialysis

Study Design: Cross sectional.

Place and Duration of Study: Tanta University Hospitals; Hemodialysis Units, from June 2019 till October 2020.

Methodology: The study included 80 end stage renal disease patients (40 males and 40 females) on regular hemodialysis for at least 3months. Laboratory investigations included complete blood counts (CBC), lipid profile, serum albumin, calcium, phosphorus, parathormone hormone, uric acid and C-reactive protein (CRP). Ankle brachial index (ABI) was measured using a hand held Doppler. Data obtained was statistically analyzed.

Results: In our study, abnormal ankle-brachial index was found to be associated with high neutrophil %, high platelet count, high platelet lymphocyte percentage ratio (PL%R) and platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR), elevated cholesterol and low density lipoprotein levels, and presence of cerebrovascular and coronary artery diseases. In multivariate analysis, PL%R and PLR were independently related to abnormal ABI in hemodialysis patients with P value 0.03 and 0.04 respectively. PL%R had sensitivity 92% and specificity 83% while PLR had sensitivity 81% and specificity 60%. There was a positive correlation between PL%R and CRP as a marker of inflammation.

Conclusion: Increased platelet-to-lymphocyte percentage ratio was independently associated with increased arterial stiffness in hemodialysis patients.