Integrative Analysis of Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio, CD4+, and CD8+ Cell Counts in COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Claudia M. Ramirez, Mohamed Ziad-M. Said, Andreu Comas-Garcia, Pedro Carmo, Jesus Mendez-Castro, Joseph Varon
Immune dysregulation affecting neutrophils and T-lymphocytes is common in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study assessed the association between neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), CD4+ and CD8+ counts, and outcomes in COVID-19 patients.
Methods: This is a retrospective study of adult patients admitted to the COVID-19 critical care unit between March 2020 and February 2022. NLR was calculated from leukocyte and lymphocyte count on admission. CD4+ and CD8+ cell counts were also recorded upon hospital admission and at their lowest point during hospitalization. A ROC curve was used to predict mortality risk and determine the best cutoff values for NLR, CD4+, and CD8+. Based on these cutoffs, the patients were divided into groups and then analyzed based on demographic characteristics, severity scores, and laboratory findings.
