Objective: To evaluate the relationship between hematological inflammatory markers—neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR)—and ICD development in PD patients treated with DAs.

Background: Peripheral blood hematological parameters as biomarkers have been a topic of interest in recent years. Hematological parameters obtained from complete blood cell counts such as NLR, PLR and MLR and their ratios to each other are highly sensitive biomarkers. Recently, a significant increase in these inflammation parameters has been detected in mood disorders and neuropsychiatric diseases. There are also publications in the field of neurology that associate these parameters with the changing permeability of the blood-brain barrier.

Impulse control disorders (ICDs) are among the significant complications of dopaminergic therapy in Parkinson’s disease (PD), particularly with dopamine agonists (DAs). Hematological inflammatory markers—neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR)—and neuropshychiatric diseases are not documented,

Method: Data from 156 PD patients, monitored at Eskisehir Osmangazi University’s Movement Disorders Clinic between 2014-2024, were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups: those with ICDs (ICD+) and without ICDs (ICD-). Hematological parameters, demographic data, disease duration, levodopa-equivalent doses, and DA dosages were evaluated.

Results: A significant association was found between ICD occurrence and higher DA doses, as well as longer disease duration (p<0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in NLR, PLR, or MLR values between ICD+ and ICD- groups (p>0.05). Additionally, hematological parameters did not correlate with DA dosages. While prior research highlights the potential role of peripheral inflammation in neuroinflammation, our findings suggest that peripheral blood markers may not reliably predict ICD risk in PD.

Conclusion: The study underscores the need for further investigation into biomarkers for ICD prediction. Managing ICDs in PD patients may benefit more from dose adjustments and behavioral monitoring than from peripheral blood parameters.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/do-peripheral-inflammatory-markers-predict-impulse-control-disorders-in-parkinsons-disease-insights-from-a-retrospective-study/