Status of Neutrophils, Lymphocytes and Platelets in Patients with Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis: A Retrospective Study

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and mean platelet volume (MPV) in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty patients who were diagnosed with RAS between January 2014 and January 2016 were included in this study. Eighty age- and gender-matched healthy subjects were also enrolled as a control group. Neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet counts were compared between groups, in addition to NLR, PLR, and MPV values. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in terms of lymphocyte count, platelet count, PLR, or MPV values between the two groups (P>0.05). However, white blood count, neutrophil count, and NLR were significantly higher in patients with RAS compared with the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study revealed an increased NLR among RAS patients compared with healthy controls. This suggests that development of RAS involves an inflammatory process. We believe that NLR could be used as a cheap and simple marker of inflammation.