Activated systemic inflammatory response at diagnosis reduces lymph node count in colonic carcinoma

Table 1 Demographic data of study cohort

n = 302
Age median (range)	71 (30-99)
Sex (M/F)	168/134
Stage
I	42
II	137
III	114
IV	9
Lymph node count	17 (3-47)
Median (range)

M: Male; F: Female.

Table 2 Analysis of impact of operative technique and patient factors on lymph node counts

n = 302	n	Lymph node yield	P value
Surgical approach
Lap/lap assisted	178	18.7 ± 7.3	0.828
Open/lap converted to open	124	18.5 ± 8.3
Age
< 70 yr	152	18 ± 7.1	0.171
≥ 70 yr	150	19.3 ± 8.2
Sex
M	168	18.7 ± 8.2	0.894
F	134	18.6 ± 7.1

M: Male; F: Female.

Table 3 Analysis of impact of pre-operative markers of systemic inflammatory response on lymph node counts

n = 302	n	Lymph node count	P value
NLR ≥ 4	107	17.6 ± 7.1	0.036
NLR < 4	195	19.2 ± 7.9
Albumin < 35	66	18.8 ± 7.9	0.951
Albumin ≥ 35	226	18.7 ± 7.7
NLR ≥ 4 and albumin < 35	39	17.9 ± 8.0	0.381
NLR < 4	195	19.2 ± 7.9

NLR: Neutrophil lymphocyte ratio.

Table 4 Analysis of association between neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and previously described predictors of poor prognosis

n = 302	NLR < 4	NLR ≥ 4	P value
n	195	107
Lymph node positivity	72/195 (36.9%)	50/107 (46.7%)	0.085
Lymph node ratio > 0.25	13/72 (18%)	17/50 (34%)	0.044

NLR: Neutrophil lymphocyte ratio.

Table 5 Description of modified glasgow prognostic score

mGPS	Score
Crp ≤ 10, albumin ≥ 35	0
Crp ≤ 10, albumin < 35	0
Crp > 10	1
Crp > 10 and albumin < 35	2

mGPS: Modified glasgow prognostic score.