Associations between markers of neutrophil activation and high NLR
| Biomarker | OR (95% CI)* | P value* | OR (95% CI)† | P value† |
| IC (μg/mL) | 1.4 (1.1 to 1.8) | 0.006 | 1.3 (1.0 to 1.7) | 0.02 |
| IFNs (U/mL) | 1.8 (1.1 to 2.7) | 0.01 | 1.7 (1.1 to 2.7) | 0.03 |
| LDG (% of PBMCs) | 1.4 (1.1 to 1.9) | 0.005 | 1.5 (1.1 to 1.9) | 0.005 |
| Calprotectin (μg/mL) | 1.4 (1.1 to 1.9) | 0.008 | 1.5 (1.1 to 2.0) | 0.008 |
Bold indicates statistically significant difference.
*Univariate logistic regression analysis performed by comparing patients with SLE with low NLR and high NLR. High NLR defined as above the 90th percentile of healthy individuals. Values are log2-transformed for normalisation.
†Multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusted for prednisone use (no, low (1–5 mg/day), medium (6–10 mg/day) and high (>10 mg/day)) and immunosuppressive treatment including azathioprine, mycophenolate, methotrexate, ciclosporin and rituximab. Values are log2-transformed for normalisation.
IC, immune complex; IFN, interferon; LDG, low-density granulocytes; NLR, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio; PBMC, peripheral blood mononuclear cells.