Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease with diverse clinical manifestations.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the impact of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) on the prognosis of SLE.

Methods: A retrospective and descriptive study, was conducted within the internal medicine department of Taher Maamouri Hospital, between 2015 and 2023. All patients fulfilled American College of Rheumatology ACR/ EULAR classification criteria for SLE. NLR and PLR were calculated for each observation at the initial consultation. The correlation between these biomarkers and LES manifestations was analyzed.

Results: Data from seventy-five patients were analysed. The female to male ratio was 4, 66. The median age was 37 years, with extremes ranging from 16 to 75 years. Neutropenia, lymphopenia and thrombocytopenia were present in 3%, 41% and 44% of cases respectively. The median NLR and median PLR were 2.88 and 148 respectively. NLR>2 and PLR>140 accounted for 82% and 56% respectively. In univariate analysis, high NLR and PLR were significantly associated with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP). Patients with lupus nephritis had higher PLR levels, and proteinuria>2g/24 hours correlated with PLR>140 ( P = 0.046 ). elevated PLR was significantly associated with severe disease flare-ups ( P = 0.016 ) and intensive care hospitalizations(ICH) ( P = 0.007 ). The two biomarkers found were not significantly associated with antinuclear antibody (ANA) levels, neurological impairment or severe infectious complications.

Conclusion: Elevation of PRL and NRL appears to be useful in assessing the activity and severity of SLE.

REFERENCES: NIL.

Acknowledgements: NIL.

Disclosure of Interests: None declared.