Association between systemic immune-inflammatory markers and the risk of moyamoya disease: a case-control study

Ann Med. 2023;55(2):2269368. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2023.2269368. Epub 2023 Oct 21.

Abstract

Background:Systemic immune-inflammatory markers such as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) and systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII) are associated with the prognosis of many cardiovascular and neoplastic diseases. Moyamoya disease (MMD) is associated with inflammation, but the relationship between systemic immune-inflammatory markers between MMD is unclear. The aim of our study was to analyse the association between systemic immune-inflammatory markers and the risk of MMD and its subtypes.Methods:We consecutively recruited 360 patients with MMD and 89 healthy control subjects in a case-control study to calculate and analyse the association of systemic immune-inflammatory markers with the risk of MMD and its subtypes.Results:The risk of MMD increased with higher levels of NLR (OR 1.237, 95% CI [1.008, 1.520], p = .042). When NLR and SII were assessed as quartile-spaced subgroups, the third quartile grouping of NLR and SII had a higher risk of MMD than the first quartile grouping (NLR: OR 3.206, 95% CI [1.271, 8.088], p = .014; SII: OR 3.074,95% CI [1.232,7.672], p = .016). When NLR was combined with SII, the highest subgroup had a higher risk of MMD than the lowest subgroup (OR2.643, 95% CI [1.340, 5.212], p = .005). The risk of subtypes also increased with higher levels of NLR and SII. The association between the levels of NLR and SII with the staging of the Suzuki stage follows an inverted U-shape. The highest levels of NLR and SII were found in patients with MMD at Suzuki stages 3-4.Conclusion:The risk of MMD increases with elevated systemic immune-inflammatory markers. This study analysed the association of systemic immune-inflammatory markers with the risk of developing MMD and its subtypes, and identified novel inflammatory markers for MMD.

Keywords: Suzuki stage; Systemic immune-inflammatory markers; moyamoya disease; neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio; systemic immune-inflammatory index.

Plain language summary

Systemic immune-inflammatory markers such as neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio and systemic immune-inflammatory index were higher in moyamoya disease (MMD) patients than in normal people.Systemic immune-inflammatory markers may be an independent risk factor for the onset of MMD.Systemic immune-inflammatory markers were associated with the progression of MMD, and their levels showed an inverted U shape with imaging stages.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • Lymphocytes
  • Moyamoya Disease*
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Biomarkers

Supplementary concepts

  • Moyamoya disease 1

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China, Grant Number 2021YFC2500502.