Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte Ratio Associated with Renal Function in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a leading risk factor for the development and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, an accurate and convenient marker for early detection and appropriate management of CKD in individuals with T2DM is limited. Recent studies have demonstrated a strong correlation between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and CKD. Nonetheless, the predictive value of NLR for renal damage in type 2 diabetic patients remains understudied.

Aim: To investigate the relationship between NLR and renal function in T2DM patients.

Methods: This study included 1040 adults aged 65 or older with T2DM from Shanghai's Community Health Service Center. The total number of neutrophils and lymphocytes was detected, and NLR levels were calculated. CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤ 60 mL/min/1.73 m². Participants were divided into four groups based on NLR levels. The clinical data and biochemical characteristics were compared among groups. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between NLR levels and CKD.

Results: Significant differences were found in terms of sex, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol among patients with T2DM in different NLR groups ( < 0.0007). T2DM patients in the highest NLR quartile had a higher prevalence of CKD ( for trend = 0.0011). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that a high NLR was an independent risk factor for CKD in T2DM patients even after adjustment for important clinical and pathological parameters ( = 0.0001, odds ratio = 1.41, 95% confidence intervals: 1.18-1.68).

Conclusion: An elevated NLR in patients with T2DM is associated with higher prevalence of CKD, suggesting that it could be a marker for the detection and evaluation of diabetic kidney disease.