Prognostic value of immune-inflammation indexes for the clinical outcomes of HIV/AIDS: a systematic review and meta-analysis
摘要
The immune-inflammation indexes such as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and prognostic nutritional index (PNI), are recognized bioindicators for inflammation during HIV/AIDS, making them valuable indicators for clinical practice. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the predictive value of immune inflammatory markers (NLR, PLR, MLR, and PNI) for the prognosis of HIV/AIDS patients through a systematic review and meta-analysis.
MethodsThis systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted under the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were thoroughly searched until July 31, 2025. The odds ratio (OR)/standard mean differences and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were extracted. A random-effects model was selected to synthesize all data. The stability of results and potential sources of heterogeneity were explored through sensitivity and subgroup analyses.
ResultsA total of 15 studies with 28,190 patients(mean age: 35.81 years; 67.72% male) were included. A higher NLR predicted a greater risk of mortality (OR: 2.01, 95% CI: 1.49–2.73, I2 = 57%) and cancer (OR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.01–1.60, I2 = 40%) in people with HIV/AIDS. Subgroup analyses found that study design, sample size, region, age, CD4+T-cell count ≤ 350 cells/µL and cut-off value were the sources of heterogeneity in the prediction of mortality by NLR. AIDS-related cancer patients with high PLR values had a greater risk of cancer (OR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.11–1.49, I2= 0%). In subgroup analyses, PLR > 150 predicted higher mortality risk (OR: 3.14, 95% CI: 1.03–9.56). Patients with higher MLR levels had a higher mortality rate (OR:1.83, 95% CI: 1.01–3.32, I2 = 0%) and a greater risk of tuberculosis (OR: 2.40, 95% CI: 1.07–5.41, I2 = 81%). Patients with lower PNI levels had a greater risk of cancer (OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.03–1.25, I2 = 61%).
ConclusionNLR, PLR, MLR, and PNI are reliable and valuable biomarkers for predicting the prognosis of adult patients with HIV/AIDS. Integrating these indicators into clinical practice may help improve risk stratification for mortality and complications, especially in resource-limited settings.
Clinical trial numberNot applicable.