Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) as a Prognostic Marker for Burn Patients

BACKGROUND Complications like sepsis due to infection and death can occur in the treatment of major burn trauma patients because of inflammation process. The Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) is believed as a prognostic marker for the incidence of mortality and sepsis in burns patient care. Various studies have stated that NLR is quite easy, inexpensive and efficient tool for clinical application. AIMS to analyze the role of NLR as prognostic marker for mortality and sepsis in burn patients. METHODS A cross-sectional retrospective single-center study was conducted between 2019 – 2021 using 222 medical records from 245 burn patients at our Burns Unit. Demographics and laboratory data results were recorded, including NLR levels on 1st and 3rd day of treatment. Correlation analysis of NLR levels was carried out on the incidence of mortality and sepsis using Logistic Regression and Chi Square tests. RESULTS The subjects of this study were dominated by patients with median age of 33 years old (SD ±20), male (68.5%) and average burns area of 30.22% (SD ±23.3%). This study noted that the NLR on 1st day (cutoff of 7.97) and 3rd day (cutoff of 6.2) of treatment had a correlation with the incidence of mortality and sepsis (p<0.05). CONCLUSION Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) can be used as a prognostic marker of mortality and sepsis in burn patients.