Work

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a predictor of in-hospital mortality in elderly emergency patients: a retrospective study from Southern Iran

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Mortality risk stratification in older emergency department (ED) patients remains challenging in resource-limited settings, particularly among frail elderly with multiple comorbidities. This study evaluated the prognostic value of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in Southern Iran. METHODS: In this retrospective single-center study conducted between March 2021 and March 2022, we analyzed records of 2,540 consecutively admitted patients aged ≥ 65 years to an academic ED in Southern Iran. NLR was calculated from initial complete blood counts. RESULTS: An NLR > 3.75 predicted in-hospital mortality with 52.2% sensitivity and 75.8% specificity (AUC = 0.655; 95% CI: 0.636–0.674; p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis confirmed NLR as an independent predictor (adjusted OR = 1.77; 95% CI: 1.28–2.44). An inverse association was observed between hypernatremia and mortality risk (OR = 0.68; 95% CI: 0.57–0.82). CONCLUSIONS: NLR > 3.75 may serve as a supportive and low-cost indicator for mortality risk stratification in elderly emergency patients; however, it should not be considered a stand-alone triage tool. The unexpected inverse association with hypernatremia warrants cautious interpretation and validation in future studies.

Source: BMC Geriatrics

DOI: 10.1186/s12877-026-07130-5

Authors: Latife Jabbari, Maryam Yousefzade, Saeed Hosseini Teshnizi, Leila Azizkhani, Saeed Hayati

Institutions: Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Inflammatory Biomarkers in Disease Prognosis

Subfield: Oncology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,190