title: Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio: a new predictive and prognostic factor in patients with Bell palsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate whether neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) levels are elevated in patients with Bell palsy (BP). Moreover, we aimed to find out whether there is a correlation between NLR levels and the severity and prognosis of BP.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group consisted of 25 subjects who presented with BP and 25 control subjects with no evidence of facial nerve pathology. The subjects underwent a general physical examination; an assessment of laboratory blood parameters; and a cranial magnetic resonance imaging, using gadolinium as a contrast medium.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean (SD) NLR values were 2.16 (0.80) in the patients with BP and 1.36 (0.48) in the control group. The mean NLR values in the patients with BP were significantly higher than in the control group (P = 0.0001). There was a positive correlation between NLR values and grade of facial paralysis (r = 0.661, P = 0.0001). The mean (SD) NLR values in the grades III, IV, V, and VI BP groups were 1.40 (0.54), 1.78 (0.44), 3.00 (0.63), and 2.60 (0.54), respectively. The mean NLR values in the grade V BP group were significantly higher than in the other groups (P = 0.0001). In addition, there was a positive correlation between NLR values and prognosis of facial paralysis (r = 0.239, P = 0.251).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is no previous study that investigated the association between NLR and BP in the literature. Higher NLR values in patients with BP may be a predictor of worse prognosis.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gül Soylu
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Özler
authors.forename: Güldem
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Günak
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020330:Bell Palsy / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011379:Prognosis; D013223:Statistics as Topic
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D011239:Prednisolone; D000212:Acyclovir