title: Simple markers for subclinical inflammation in patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this study we investigated the potential of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), mean platelet volume (MPV), and red cell width distribution (RDW) as new inflammatory markers to identify chronic inflammations during symptom-free periods in children diagnosed with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 153 children diagnosed with FMF based on the Tel-Hashomer Criteria, and 90 healthy volunteers. Hospital records were obtained to collect NLR, PLR, MPV, RDW, and FMF scores and the FMF mutation analyses of the patients enrolled in the study. Data on proteinuria were also collected and defined as a protein/creatinine ratio>0.2.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NLR, PLR, MPV, and RDW were significantly higher in symptom-free FMF patients than in the control group. C-reactive protein values also weakly correlated with NLR, PLR, MPV, and RDW, but the correlation was not statistically significant. NLR had the strongest correlation with CRP. The NLR cut-off point to indicate subclinical inflammation in symptom-free FMF patients was calculated to be 1.65.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NLR, PLR, MPV, and RDW are potential subclinical inflammation markers in patients with FMF. NLR, PLR, MPV, and RDW values are higher in patients with FMF during symptom-free periods. NLR was found to be the most reliable marker for subclinical inflammation when compared to PLR, MPV, and RDW. We also found that these markers are not significantly higher in proteinuric patients when compared with levels in non-proteinuric patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Gaziosmanpasa University School of Medicine, Tokat, Turkey.
authors.forename: Samet
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Özer
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Gaziosmanpasa University School of Medicine, Tokat, Turkey.
authors.forename: Resul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yılmaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Gaziosmanpasa University School of Medicine, Tokat, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ergün
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sönmezgöz
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Gaziosmanpasa University School of Medicine, Tokat, Turkey.
authors.forename: Erhan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Karaaslan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Gaziosmanpasa University School of Medicine, Tokat, Turkey.
authors.forename: Semanur
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Taşkın
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Gaziosmanpasa University School of Medicine, Tokat, Turkey.
authors.forename: İlknur
authors.initials: İ
authors.lastname: Bütün
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, Gaziosmanpasa University School of Medicine, Tokat, Turkey.
authors.forename: Osman
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Demir
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000166:cytology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000737:chemistry; D002648:Child; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology; D010505:Familial Mediterranean Fever / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood*; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000166:cytology; D010976:Platelet Count; D000071198:Pyrin; D012372:ROC Curve; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; C000604192:MEFV protein, human; D000071198:Pyrin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein