Positive Association Between Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio and Presence of Panoramically Imaged Carotid Atheromas Among Men.

Purpose: Heightened levels of systemic inflammation documented by increased neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios (NLRs) characterize a robust atherosclerosis processes evidenced by carotid and coronary artery plaques at ultrasound and angiography with associated strokes and myocardial infarctions (MIs). Therefore, this study investigated whether calcified carotid artery plaques (CCAPs) on panoramic images (PIs), known to herald future stroke and MI, are associated with increased NLRs.

Materials And Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, electronic medical records and PIs of non-Hispanic white men at least 55 years old who were treated by the dental service (January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017) were retrieved. Two groups of patients (n = 50 per group) with plaque (CCAP+) and without plaque (CCAP-) were constituted. The predictor variable was CCAP+ and the outcome variable was the NLR. A t test analyzed the differences in mean NLRs between groups. Other variables of interest, that is, atherogenic risk factors (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus), were included in a logistic regression analysis to assess their influence on the association of CCAP with the NLR. Significance was set at .05 for all tests.

Results: The study group of 50 men with CCAP+ (mean age, 71.7 ± 7.47 yr) evidenced a mean NLR of 3.07 ± 1.43. The control group of 50 men with CCAP- (mean age, 69.8 ± 9.29 yr) evidenced a mean NLR of 2.13 ± 0.68. A t test analysis comparison showed a significant (P = .00007) difference (95% confidence interval, 0.49-1.39). Logistic regression failed to show any relevant relation of the NLR with the covariate and other variables of interest.

Conclusion: There is a strong association between CCAP+ in older non-Hispanic white men and extent of systemic inflammation as evidenced by increased NLRs. These plaques are "risk factors or indicators" for future stroke and MI. Therefore, maxillofacial surgeons providing care for patients with CCAP+ should consider referring them for a comprehensive cerebrovascular and cardiovascular workup.