Neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio predicts the outcome of intracerebral hemorrhage: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: The neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is increasingly recognized as a systemic inflammation factor. It has been used as a predictor for clinical outcomes in cancers. However, its relationship with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is still disputed. We sought to evaluate the prognostic role of NLR in ICH. Methods: We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Medline, and EMBASE for potentially relevant articles from inception to April 8, 2018. Efficacy outcomes included major disability at 90 days, short-term mortality or in-hospital mortality. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were pooled to assess the association between NLR and ICH. Results: A total of 7 trials with 2176 patients were included in this meta-analysis. It revealed that higher NLR had a higher risk of major disability at 90 days (OR: 2.20; 95% CI: 1.27–3.81) and higher mortality at short-term (OR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.02–1.68) in ICH; without statistically significant association with in-hospital mortality (OR: 1.02; 95% CI: 0.91–1.15). Conclusions: Our meta-analysis proved that high NLR was a predictor of major disability and mortality at short term in ICH patients, but not a predictor of in-hospital mortality.