The platelet:lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is a significant marker in evaluating systemic inflammation, cardiovascular risks, and cancer prognoses.
An elevated level PLR is linked to a plethora of adverse health conditions including coronary atherosclerosis, heart failure, and various cancers, indicating a heightened inflammatory and pro-thrombotic state and an increased risk of severe events in these conditions. Studies also associate high PLR levels with poorer outcomes in bipolar disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, acute ischemic stroke, and COVID-19, among others.
However, PLR should not be used as a standalone diagnostic marker and needs to be considered alongside other inflammatory markers and associated conditions for a well-rounded evaluation.
On the other hand, a low PLR generally indicates the absence of a pro-inflammatory, pro-thrombotic state. The PLR is also used as a predictor of adverse cardiac events, and specific thresholds have been linked to higher risk and disease severity.
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