Lianna R. Khachatryan1*, Koryun1
Background: It has been well documented that inflammation is closely related to major depression, even though it remains uncertain whether inflammation is a cause or a result of the mental illness. Meanwhile inflammatory processes may contribute to risk for age-related brain degeneration. A new, easily calculated from white blood cell essay, and inexpensive option, suitable for routine use to show inflammation, is the measurement of the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR)[1,2]. Hence this study was designed to explore the role of systemic inflammation in the pathogenesis of cognitive decline and major depression by using NLR, MLR and PLR as inflammatory markers.
Methods: 166 patients aged ≥ 60 years without a history of cognitive disorder were recruited. Their cognitive function and depression assessments were performed. Neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes and platelets counts of the participants were measured and NLR, MLR and PLR were calculated.
Results: The overall prevalence of cognitive impairment among patients aged ≥ 60 years was 27.5%. The mean age of the patients was 72.02 years. In this population mild cognitive impairment had 17.6%, moderate cognitive impairment had 6.6% and severe cognitive impairment had 3.3% of the target group. Weak negative correlations were observed between NLR, PLR and cognitive function scores (r=-0.337; r=-0.326). No correlation was found between MLR and MMSE scores (r=-0.1.59). Weak negative correlation was found between MMSE scores and Geriatric Depressive Scale scores (r=-0.342). Between NLR, PLR, MLR and Geriatric Depression Scale scores were found no correlations (r=-0.008; r=0.103; r=0.126).
Conclusions: This study revealed negative correlation between NLR, PLR and MMSE scores. However, no significant correlation was found between MLR and MMSE scores and NLR, MLR, PLR and Geriatric Scales scores.
