Use of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Combined With CA-125 to Distinguish Endometriomas From Other Benign Ovarian Cysts

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This retrospective study found that combining neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and CA-125 improves diagnostic accuracy for endometriomas compared to either marker alone.

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This retrospective comparative study evaluated whether the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) adds diagnostic value to CA-125 for identifying endometriomas among 807 women who underwent surgery for benign ovarian cysts. NLR and CA-125 were measured separately and together, and receiver–operating characteristic analyses were used to determine cutoff values, with Youden index optimization and correlation testing. NLR, CA-125, and the combined marker were all significantly higher in the endometrioma group, CA-125 outperformed NLR alone for differentiating endometriomas, and combining the markers improved diagnostic accuracy; NLR also correlated positively with CA-125 and with the endometriosis score. A key limitation noted by the design is that the study is retrospective and relies on surgical cases, which may limit generalizability. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — it tests NLR plus CA-125 to distinguish endometriomas from other benign ovarian cysts.

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Abstract

Purpose The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) compared to CA-125 in patients with endometriomas.

Methods

This study was designed as a retrospective comparative study. A total of 807 women who underwent surgery due to benign ovarian cysts between January 2008 and January 2013 were included in the study. The NLR and CA-125 levels were assessed separately and together, with a receiver–operating characteristic curve analysis for the diagnosis of endometriomas.

Results

The mean serum levels of NLR, CA-125, and combined markers were significantly higher in the study group (all P < .001). According to the highest Youden index, the cutoff values were found to be 23.7 IU/mL for CA-125 at 75% sensitivity and 81% specificity and 1.89 for NLR at 70% sensitivity and 74% specificity. The cutoff value for the combined marker was 41.0 with 80% sensitivity and 82% specificity. There was a positive correlation between NLR and CA-125 (P < .001). Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was also positively correlated with the endometriosis score (P < .001).

Conclusions

Although NLR is a simple and easily applicable marker, CA-125 is superior for differentiating endometriomas from other benign ovarian cysts. The combination of these 2 markers improves diagnostic accuracy. Similar content being viewed by others

References

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Ann Agric Environ Med. 2013;20(4): 854–858. Author information Authors and Affiliations Corresponding author Rights and permissions About this article Cite this article Tokmak, A., Yildirim, G., Öztaş, E. et al. Use of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Combined With CA-125 to Distinguish Endometriomas From Other Benign Ovarian Cysts. Reprod. Sci. 23, 795–802 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1177/1933719115620494 Published: Issue date: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1933719115620494

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

CA-125 Antigen Endometriosis Lymphocytes Neutrophils Ovarian Cysts Adolescent Adult Biomarkers CA-125 Antigen Endometriosis Endometriosis Female Humans Lymphocytes Middle Aged Neutrophils Ovarian Cysts Ovarian Cysts Retrospective Studies ROC Curve

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