CORRELATION OF NEUTROPHIL TO LYMPHOCYTE RATIO ENDOSCOPIC GRADE OF INJURY IN CAUSATIC INJURIES

Abstract

In the early period, caustic ingestion may be the cause of superficial edema, erosions, erythema, ulcerations and necrosis that eventually leads to perforation. The main finding for further management of caustic ingestion is endoscopic degree of injuries. The purpose of our study is to find correlation of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and endoscopic grade of injury in caustic injuries. A cross sectional study based on 148 cases was conducted at Department of Gastroenterology, DHQ Gujranwala over a period of six months from 22-05-2019 to 22-09-2019. Endoscopy for all cases have been performed by a senior consultant having more than 5 years of experience. The blood sample of 5 cc have been taken from all cases for NLR analysis. The mean age of the patients was 33.61 ± 8.247 years. 47.3 % (n=70) were male whereas 52.7 % (n=78) were females. Frequency of grade 0 was 16.5% (n=25), grade 1 was 25.7 % ( n=38), grade 2 was9.5 % (n=14), grade 3 was 10.8 %( n=16), grade 3a was 23.6%   (n=35), grade 4 was 0.7% (n=1).Value of correlation r = 0.828 (p-value < 0.005). There is strong correlation of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and endoscopic grade of injury. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio increased as endoscopic grade of injury was high. Higher the NLR values indicates the widespread and severe involvement of caustic ingestion.