Relationship between Neutrophil-To-Lymphocyte Ratio and Serum Zinc Levels with the Severity of Atopic Dermatitis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37287/ijghr.v8i5.2138Keywords:
atopic dermatitis, NLR, SCORAD, serum zincAbstract
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, recurrent inflammatory skin disease with varying disease severity, commonly assessed using the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index. Based on the pathogenesis of AD, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and serum zinc are potential biomarkers that may reflect inflammation and skin barrier integrity. Evidence regarding their association with AD severity is still limited, particularly in Indonesia. To analyze the association between NLR and serum zinc levels with the severity of AD based on SCORAD. This analytic observational study with a cross-sectional design included 30 adult patients with AD. Diagnosis was established based on clinical history, dermatological examination, and Hanifin–Rajka criteria. Disease severity was assessed using SCORAD. NLR was obtained from routine blood tests, and serum zinc levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Associations between variables were analyzed using Spearman correlation. There was a significant positive correlation between NLR and SCORAD (r=0.567; p=0.001) and a significant negative correlation between serum zinc levels and SCORAD (r=−0.414; p=0.023). Most subjects had mild disease (50%), followed by moderate (40%) and severe (10%). Higher NLR values and lower serum zinc levels were observed in subjects with more severe AD. NLR and serum zinc levels are associated with AD severity and have potential to be additional indicators of disease activity.
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