Baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predicts response to corticosteroids and is associated with infection and renal dysfunction in alcoholic hepatitis.

Background: Treating severe alcoholic hepatitis involves the exposure of patients to corticosteroids for 7 days to assess "response".

Aim: To assess the prognostic and therapeutic implications of baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis.

Methods: Patients recruited to the STOPAH trial and an independent validation group were analysed retrospectively.