Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) Levels and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte (NLR) and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratios (PLR) in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Undergoing Maintenance Hemodialysis


Yilmaz Kars M., Kars T. U., GÜNEY İ., Altintepe L., Kilinc I., Selcuk N. Y.

Therapeutic Apheresis and Dialysis, cilt.30, sa.1, ss.39-45, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 30 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1111/1744-9987.70089
  • Dergi Adı: Therapeutic Apheresis and Dialysis
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE, MEDLINE
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.39-45
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: chronic hemodialysis, NLR, PLR, TGF-ss
  • Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Aim: This study investigated inflammatory markers involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD). Methods: This cross-sectional study included 144 patients with CKD (65 females, 79 males) undergoing maintenance HD and 23 healthy controls (12 females, 11 males). Serum concentrations of Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β), C-reactive protein (CRP), Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) were determined. Group comparisons were performed, and associations were examined using crude and multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models. Results: TGF-β, NLR, and PLR levels were significantly higher in HD patients than in controls (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.041, respectively), along with elevated CRP (p < 0.001). ROC analysis showed good diagnostic performance for TGF-β (AUC 0.812) and NLR (AUC 0.863), but weaker for PLR (AUC 0.633). In the crude logistic regression analysis, all three markers demonstrated significant associations with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). After adjustment for age, sex, hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CVD), malignancy, and inflammatory diseases, TGF-β remained significantly associated with ESRD (OR: 1.026; 95% CI: 1.003–1.050; p = 0.027). Similarly, after adjustment for age, sex, hypertension, CVD, diabetes mellitus (DM), malignancy, and inflammatory diseases, NLR was independently associated with ESRD (OR: 8.196; 95% CI: 1.554–43.227; p = 0.013). Finally, following adjustment for age, sex, hypertension, CVD, DM, and malignancy, PLR also showed a significant association with ESRD (OR: 1.019; 95% CI: 1.002–1.037; p = 0.033). Conclusion: Inflammatory markers, including TGF-β, NLR, and PLR, are significantly elevated in patients with CKD receiving maintenance HD compared with healthy individuals. These markers are associated with HD even after adjusting for significant covariates.