Correlation of neutrophyle/lymphocyte ratio and pulmonary parameters with optic coherence tomography findings in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: To examine the correlation of pulmonary functions and neutrophyle/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) with optic coherence tomography findings in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: Fifty-five COPD (110 eyes) and 48 control cases (96 eyes) were enrolled. COPD patients were grouped as Group 1 (mild-moderate) and Group 2 (severe) according to GOLD classification. Subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIP) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) analysis by SD-OCT were performed in follow up. NLR was calculated by blood cell count. RESULTS: Inferior RNFL and average GCIP of COPD were lower than control during the initial and sixth month examination (P = .002, P < .001, respectively). Average RNFL and SFCT were lower in COPD patients in sixth month examination (P = .020, P = .015, respectively). Average, temporal, inferior, nasal RNFL and SFCT in sixth month examination were significantly lower in severe COPD (P < .05 for all), but average GCIP were similar (P = .015). Disease duration, Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) and attacks/year showed significant negative correlations, whereas forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) showed significant positive correlations with OCT values. NLR was significantly higher in COPD cases compared to control (P < .001) and had a negative correlation with GCIP values. CONCLUSION: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease severity is shown to have a negative effect on OCT measurements. SD-OCT can reflect severity of inflammation, and suggested to be used in follow up of COPD cases. NLR may have a role to predict the ganglion cell damage in COPD patients.