Correlations of Serum Zinc with NLR, Lymphocyte Count and CRP in Tripoli, Libya: A Retrospective Analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58987/j961cf76Keywords:
Zn deficiency, NLR, CRP, Hematology, Inflammatory, LibyaAbstract
Zinc is an essential micronutrient vital for immune function. Its deficiency can lead to immune dysregulation, but data from North African populations are scarce. This research aimed to investigate the correlation between serum zinc concentrations and primary immuno-inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), absolute lymphocyte count, and the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), in an adult population in Tripoli, Libya. A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was performed utilizing data from 112 adult participants at Tripoli Medical Center. Serum zinc levels, complete blood count with differential, and C-reactive protein levels were documented. The NLR is determined according to the ratio of the absolute neutrophil count to the absolute lymphocyte count. The relationships among the variables were examined using Pearson’s correlation analysis, while group differences according to zinc status were evaluated through an independent samples t-test. Participants had an average age of 32.3±13.8 years. The analysis indicated a substantial negative association between serum zinc concentration and NLR (r = -0.485, p < 0.001). Conversely, serum zinc concentration demonstrated a considerable affirmative association with the absolute lymphocyte count (r = 0.398, p = 0.002). When stratified by zinc status, the zinc-deficient group (< 70 µg/dL) exhibited a significantly higher mean NLR (3.9 vs. 2.4, p < 0.001) and a decreased mean lymphocyte count (1.6 vs. 2.3 x10³/µL, p = 0.004) compared to the zinc-sufficient group. Lower serum zinc levels are strongly associated with an elevated NLR and reduced lymphocyte counts, indicating a pro-inflammatory and immune-compromised state. These results highlight how crucial it is to maintain sufficient zinc levels for immunological homeostasis. Screening for zinc deficiency may be clinically relevant in the administration of inflammatory disorders in the Libyan population.
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