title: Evaluation of the eosinophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in pediatric patients with allergic rhinitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Allergic rhinitis is a type 1 hypersensitivity reaction of the nasal mucosa, the primary mediator of which is immunoglobulin E. Allergic rhinitis occurs in children and adolescents.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the relationship between allergies and the eosinophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in children with allergic rhinitis with a positive skin-prick test.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was planned and performed as a case-control study.
  
  
  METHODS
  There were 695 patients who presented to our clinic who were enrolled in the study. Only group 4 fit the criteria for allergic rhinitis. Group 1 (nonsensitized asymptomatic [control group]), group 2 (nonsensitized symptomatic), group 3 (sensitized asymptomatic), and group 4 (sensitized symptomatic). The patients' allergy symptoms and skin test results were assessed and compared. The eosinophil-to-lymphocyte ratio for each patient was calculated. The eosinophil and lymphocyte counts and the eosinophil-to-lymphocyte ratio were calculated for each group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The eosinophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and eosinophil counts in groups 3 and 4 were significantly higher (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively) than those in groups 1 and 2. The lymphocyte counts in groups 3 and 4 were significantly lower (p = 0.046) than those of groups 1 and 2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The eosinophil-to-lymphocyte ratio may be used in conjunction with skin-prick testing in pediatric patients with allergic rhinitis. This parameter is inexpensive to measure and easy to use and calculate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Bezmialem Vakif University, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Alper
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yenigun
authors.forename: Seda
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sezen
authors.forename: Omer Faruk
authors.initials: OF
authors.lastname: Calim
authors.forename: Orhan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ozturan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002452:Cell Count; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic / Q000276:immunology*; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D007073:Immunoglobulin E