Objective. Although previous trials suggested a relationship between neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic inflammatory response, clinical utility of NLR and PLR in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is not well defined. This study was conducted to assess the efficiency of NLR and PLR as an inflammatory index in patients with RA. Methods. A total of 107 patients with newly diagnosed RA who had never used steroid and a control group of 50 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects whose high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) was within normal range were included. Those with cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes, malignancies, or any cardiovascular diseases were excluded from both groups. The patients were divided into two groups according to the Disease Activity Score of 28 joints (DAS28). Group 1 included patients with a DAS28 score of 3.2 and lower (low disease activity) and group 2 included patients with a score higher than 3.2 (moderate to high disease activity). Results. NLR and PLR in the patient group were 2.99±2.04, 170.90±86.49, significantly higher than that of the control group. NLR and PLR in group 2 were 4.16±2.50, 225.23±93.21, significantly higher than those of group 1 patients (2.26±1.22, 137.15±61.92). NLR and PLR both showed correlation with rheumatoid factor, hsCRP, serum albumin, Korean Heath Assesment Questionnaire, and DAS28. Conclusion. These data showed a positive correlation between NLR or PLR level and RA disease activity, suggesting that NLR or PLR can be used as an additional inflammatory marker in patients with RA. (J Rheum Dis 2016;23:96-100)

Keywords: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, Rheumatoid arthritis, Inflammatory markers