Objective:

To explore the possible role of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a biomarker in the diagnosis of endometriosis.

Approach:

Key Findings:

• The systematic review included seventeen retrospective studies with a total of 6,679 women, of whom 3,980 had endometriosis.
• NLR showed a sensitivity of 0.66 (0.53–0.78) and a specificity of 0.63 (0.52–0.73).
• Positive likelihood ratio of NLR was 1.79 (1.48–2.17) and negative likelihood ratio was 0.53 (0.41–0.69).

Interpretation:

Contrasting results exist regarding the non-invasive role of CA 125 and NLR in diagnosing endometriosis, but combinations of markers show promising results.

Limitations:

• The studies included were retrospective, which may introduce bias.
• The variability in study designs and populations may affect the generalizability of the findings.

Conclusion:

The review indicates that while NLR may have potential as a biomarker for endometriosis diagnosis, further studies are needed to confirm its efficacy.

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