Correlation between neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and overactive bladder in South Korean women: a community-based, cross-sectional study

Objective Many women with overactive bladder (OAB) do not seek medical care despite urinary symptoms. As the diagnosis and treatment of OAB are often late, there is a need to identify undiagnosed OAB patients and start effective treatment. Furthermore, an objective and appropriate screening biomarker for OAB is needed. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and OAB in South Korean women. Design Cross-sectional, retrospective study. Setting Jeju National University Hospital. Participants This study included a total of 4394 women (mean age=48.6 years) who underwent self-referred health screenings. Interventions Blood tests were conducted and the NLR was calculated by dividing the number of neutrophils by the number of lymphocytes. Outcome measures The severity of OAB was evaluated using the OAB Symptom Score (OABSS). Results Approximately 9.8% of participants (n=432) were diagnosed with OAB. The association pattern between the NLR and urinary tract symptoms was variable; however, NLR was associated with OAB, by the OABSS and OAB severity (p<0.001). The NLR had a significant relationship with OAB after age, body mass index, homoeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, stress status, and medication for hypertension (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.32) were adjusted. Conclusions Elevated NLR is associated with OAB; hence, NLR may be a cost-effective and readily available biomarker of OAB in women.