Correlation of neutrophil/lymphocyte and platelet/lymphocyte ratios with the severity of idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome.

Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation of the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet/lymphocyte ratio with the severity of idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Methods: A total of 407 patients with idiopathic CTS (neurophysiologically 150 mild, 144 moderate, and 113 severe) and 206 subjects without CTS were included (control group).

Results: There was a positive correlation between the severity of CTS and NLR (r = 0.224; P < 0.001), age (r = 0.333; P < 0.001), and body mass index (r = 0.251; P < 0.001). A 1-unit increase in NLR level was associated with an approximately 1.7-fold higher incidence of CTS (P = 0.002; odds ratio = 1.668; 95% confidence interval = 1.199-2.319).

Conclusions: Our results suggest that neurophysiologically more severe CTS is associated with higher NLR levels. The role of systemic inflammation in CTS should be investigated in further studies.