CRP/ Albumin Ratio and Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio in Predicting Activity in IBD Patients

IBD definition term for two conditions (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) is a chronic idiopathic inflammatory disease affecting the large intestine. It is characterized by relapsing mucosal inflammation. The aim of treatment is to induce and maintain disease remission. Assessing disease activity may help in optimizing the management of IBD patients.

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a simple index that can be calculated from the results of ordinary blood tests; it is calculated from a blood sample by dividing the absolute neutrophil count by the absolute lymphocyte count . As the NLR can reflect the systemic status of inflammation or immune response.

The underlying mechanism that the NLR was a predictor of clinilcal relapse in UC patients with Mucosal healing remains poorly understood. Neutrophils induce cytotoxicity and inflammation in UC. A high NLR value may be due to high activity in UC and lowered mucosal barrier function, which may lead to the migration of neutrophils through the gut microbiota .

CRP is routinely used as a surrogate measure of intestinal inflammation and as a prognostic measure of nonresponse to medical therapy and colectomy in patients with IBD.