Several studies were conducted to explore the association between haematological parameters and erectile dysfunction (ED), but the conclusions were contradictory with small sample size. The extensively search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library and Web of science from inception to August 2021. Studies comparing the haematological parameter (at least NLR, PLR) between ED patients and healthy controls were eligible for the present meta-analysis. The differences in NLR and PLR between ED patients and healthy controls were assessed by calculating the standardised mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Eventually, 7 studies were remained for our meta-analysis, with a total of 929 ED patients and 737 healthy controls. For the methodological quality based on NOS, 5 studies were of high quality, scored 7, and 8. 2 studies were of moderate quality, scored 6. There were statistically significant differences in NLR values between ED patients and healthy controls, based on the pooled results (SMD: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.24-0.82). Pooled results from the 6 studies revealed that ED patients had higher PLR values than healthy controls (SMD: 0.70, 95%CI: 0.12-1.28). Our meta-analysis solidly confirmed the association between NLR, PLR and ED. Increased NLR and PLR should be independent risk factors for ED.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is spreading worldwide. Measuring the prevention and control of the disease has become a matter requiring urgent focus.
Based on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) clinical data from Wuhan, we conducted an in-depth analysis to clarify some of the pathological mechanisms of the disease and identify simple measures to predict its severity early on.
A total of 230 patients with non-mild COVID-19 were recruited, and information on their clinical characteristics, inflammatory cytokines, and T lymphocyte subsets was collected. Risk factors for severity were analyzed by binary logistic regression, and the associations of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios (N/LRs) with illness severity, disease course, CT grading, inflammatory cytokines, and T lymphocyte subsets were evaluated.
Our results showed that the N/LRs were closely related to interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 (P < 0.001, P = 0.024) and to CD3+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes (P < 0.001, P = 0.046). In particular, the N/LRs were positively correlated with the severity and course of the disease (P = 0.021, P < 0.001). Compared to the values at the first test after admission, IL-6 and IL-10 were significantly decreased and increased, respectively, as of the last test before discharge (P = 0.006, P < 0.001). More importantly, through binary logistic regression, we found that male sex, underlying diseases (such as cardiovascular disease), pulse, and N/LRs were all closely related to the severity of the disease (P = 0.004, P = 0.012, P = 0.013, P = 0.028).
As a quick and convenient marker of inflammation, N/LRs may predict the disease course and severity level of non-mild COVID-19; male sex, cardiovascular disease, and pulse are also risk factors for the severity of non-mild COVID-19.

Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) have been reported to reflect the inflammatory response and disease activity in a variety of autoimmune diseases.
This study aimed to evaluate the value of PLR and NLR as markers to monitor disease activity in Takayasu\'s arteritis (TAK).
A retrospective case-control study involving 88 patients with TAK and 78 healthy controls was performed. We compared the PLR and NLR between patients and healthy controls, and also analysed the correlations between PLR or NLR and indices of TAK disease activity.
Increased PLR and NLR were observed in patients with TAK. PLR was positively correlated with hs-C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (r=0.239, p=0.010) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (r=0.270, p=0.010). NLR also exhibited a positive relationship with Kerr\'s score (r=0.284, p=0.002), hs-CRP (r=0.313, p=0.006) and ESR (r=0.249, p=0.019). A PLR level of 183.39 was shown to be the predictive cut-off value for TAK (sensitivity 37.8%, specificity 93.0%, area under the curve (AUC)=0.691). A NLR level of 2.417 was found to be the predictive cut-off value for TAK (sensitivity 75.6%, specificity 55.8%, AUC=0.697).
PLR and NLR could be useful markers to reflect inflammation and disease activity in patients with TAK.