New diagnostic indicators in chronic otitis media with effusion: neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and thrombocyte lymphocyte ratio

Objective: Inflammation has an important place in chronic otitis media with effusion (COME) etiology. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are simple and cheap tests that show inflammation and can be calculated by all physicians. In our study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between COME and NLR and PLR parameters. Methods: The study was performed with the pediatric patient group consisting of 77 patients who got diagnosis of COME and the control group consisting of 62 healthy children whose age, gender and demographical characteristics were concordant with the patient group. The patient and control groups were compared statistically in terms of NLR and PLR values. Results: Mean neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio value was found as 1.43 +/- 0.54 in the patient group and as 1.16 +/- 0.51 in the control group (p<0.001). Mean PLR value was found as 113.78 +/- 35.78 in the patient group and as 103.61 +/- 32.32 in the control group (p=0.084). Conclusion: Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and PLR values were high in COME. It was shown for the first time that NLR can be used as a diagnostic parameter in children with COME.