Association between Absolute Lymphocyte Count and Platelet-Derived Inflammatory Ratios in Post-Menopausal Women: A Case-Control Study
Ngwu Amauche Martina
*
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Nigeria.
Eze Chiemerie Gabriel
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Nigeria.
Okoh Emmanuel Somtochukwu
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Nigeria.
Okechukwu Victor Chiemelie
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Nigeria.
Okorie Chukwuemeka Gerald
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Nigeria.
Agbo Chukwuebuka Meshach
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Menopause is associated with hormonal and physiological changes that may influence haematological and inflammatory parameters. Platelet indices and platelet-derived ratios have been proposed as accessible markers of systemic inflammation and thrombotic tendency.
Aims: This study evaluated the relationship between absolute lymphocyte count and selected platelet-related inflammatory markers in post-menopausal women.
Methods: A hospital-based case-control observational study involving 73 participants aged 60-80 years was conducted. Forty-three post-menopausal women and 30 premenopausal women were recruited. Blood samples were analysed using an automated haematology analyser. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.0, with significance set at P ≤ 0.05.
Results: Three (7.0%) post-menopausal women had platelet counts between 50 - <100 × 10⁹/L. No statistically significant differences were observed between post-menopausal and premenopausal women in platelet count, platelet indices, lymphocyte count or the calculated inflammatory ratios. In post-menopausal women, lymphocyte count showed a significant negative correlation with mean platelet volume-to-lymphocyte count ratio and platelet count-to-lymphocyte count ratio. Significant positive correlations were also observed between lymphocyte count and platelet count, plateletcrit and platelet-large cell count.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that lymphocyte count is associated with selected platelet-related inflammatory ratios in post-menopausal women. These parameters may provide useful haematological information, but larger studies are required to clarify their clinical relevance in post-menopausal health assessment.
Keywords: Absolute lymphocyte count, haematological biomarkers, mean platelet volume, platelet count, platelet-derived ratios, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, post-menopausal women, premenopausal women, systemic inflammation, thrombocytopenia