A Comparative Study on Hematological Inflammation Markers in Acne Vulgaris
Nilay Duman *
Department of Dermatology, Afyon Kocatepe University, School of Medicine, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
Erol Uzunali
Department of Dermatology, Afyonkarahisar State Hospital, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
Vildan Manav
Department of Dermatology, Afyon Kocatepe University, School of Medicine, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: The literature does not include sufficient data on the hematological inflammation markers in acne vulgaris. The present study aimed to investigate potential of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, platelet/lymphocyte ratio, and mean platelet volume as inflammatory markers in acne vulgaris.
Study Design: This is a a case-control, comparative clinical study conducted with the approval of ethical review board.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Dermatology between March 2015 and July 2015.
Methodology: The study included 45 moderate/severe acne patients and 30 age- and sex-matched controls. Demographic data, medical history were recorded. Laboratory parameters, including total leucocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet counts, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, platelet/lymphocyte ratio, and mean platelet volume were retrospectively evaluated before treatment, and after 3-months of oral isotretinoin treatment. Parameters of the patient group (pre-treatment) and the control group, additionally pre-treatment and post-treatment parameters of the patient group were compared.
Results: The mean total leucocyte count (P < 0.001), neutrophil count (P < 0.001), and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (P = 0.047) were significantly higher, and mean platelet volume (P < 0.001) was significantly lower in the patient group (pre-treatment) compared to the control group. Additionally, the mean post-treatment leucocyte count (P = 0.001), neutrophil count (P < 0.001), and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (P < 0.001) were significantly lower compared to pre-treatment parameters.
Conclusion: Acne vulgaris is associated with systemic inflammation, and isotretinoin treatment has systemic anti-inflammatory effects. Especially, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio is indicative of systemic inflammation in acne, and may be used as a follow-up marker during treatment.
Keywords: Acne, inflammation, isotretinoin, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, platelet/lymphocyte ratio