Corticosteroidal impacts on white blood cells differentials in ear-nose-throat admitted infected patients

Abdelrazzaq Ayed Hussein Alrfooh, Hayfa Suleiman Mefleh Obeidat *, Ahmad Saleh Qwaider Sbaihat, Zaid Ahmad El Omari and Mohammad Zaid Fathi Abo Romman

Otorhinolaryngologist, ENT department, Royal Medical Services, Jordan.
 
Research Article
World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2024, 17(02), 048–058.
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjbphs.2024.17.2.0052
Publication history: 
Received on 25 January 2024; revised on 05 February 2024; accepted on 07 February 2024
 
Abstract: 
Background/aim: It is well-established that the use of corticosteroidal agents in patients with Ear-Nose-Throat infections can lead to an increased risk of infection recurrence, while also potentially prolonging the duration of the infection. It is crucial to ensure a proper equilibrium between the advantages and drawbacks of the corticosteroidal agent. This study investigates the effects of corticosteroids on specific subsets of immune cells in patients admitted to the Ear-Nose-Throat department with infections.
Methods: This study was conducted retrospectively from March 2020 to September 2021. The variables that were measured and calculated were categorised into parametric and non-parametric data. The parametric data were compared between the two groups, Non-Dexamethasone Cohort (Cohort I) and Dexamethasone Cohort (Cohort II), using Independent, One-Sample T-Tests, and Chi-Square Test.
Results: The average age of the entire study cohort was 59.40±10.60 years. There was a slightly higher proportion of males compared to females, with a ratio of approximately 2.309:1. The haematological analysis revealed a decrease in the levels of white blood cells, absolute neutrophils, monocytes, and the monocytes to lymphocytes ratio in Cohort I when compared to Cohort II. The levels of prognosticator biomarkers and their ratios were significantly lower in Cohort I when compared to Cohort II. Cohort II exhibited a significantly reduced hospital length of stay and a lower mortality rate among admitted infected patients in the ear-nose-throat infection, in comparison to Cohort I.
Conclusion: Our analysis determined that Dexamethasone 6 mg/day provides a substantial survival advantage for patients with higher baseline risk upon admission. This benefit is associated with a decrease in the counts of neutrophils and monocytes, as well as a decrease in the ratio of these counts to lymphocyte count.
 
Keywords: 
Monocytes; Lymphocytes; Monocytes to Lymphocytes ratio; Ear-nose-throat infection
 
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