Relationship between Epicardial Fat Tissue Thickness and CRP and Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio in Metabolic Syndrome Patients Over 65 Years

OBJECTIVE: There are no data evaluating the association of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) with epicardial fat tissue thickness (EFTT) in elderly metabolic syndrome (MS) patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship of EFTT with CRP and NLR in patients with MS over 65 years. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed. Fifty patients (patient group) with MS and 25 subjects (control group) without MS were allocated in the study. All parameters were compared in patient and control groups. The correlations between NLR, CRP, and EFTT were evaluated. RESULTS: White blood cell and neutrophil levels were higher in MS group (p=0.020 and p=0.019, respectively). Both transverse and longitudinal EFTT were increased in MS patients (p<0.001). There was a significant correlation between the EFTT and NLR but not with CRP in the MS group (r=0.4, p=0.003). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that both longitudinal and transverse EFTT are associated with NLR in patients older than 65 years with MS. In geriatric MS patients, higher NLR level may be an indicator of increased visceral fat around the myocardium.