Disturbances in white blood cell homeostasis may be an independent predictor of mortality and disease progression in patients with systemic sclerosis, a first-of-its-kind study shows.

Specifically, both an elevated neutrophil count and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are associated with an increased severity of disease and risk of death, according to US researchers.

They said their findings indicate “that these easily obtainable laboratory studies might be a reflection of pathological immune responses” in systemic sclerosis (SS) and should be further investigated as a potential prognostic marker.

The team first analysed data from 377 adults with early SS from the GENISOS (Genetics versus Environment in Scleroderma Outcomes Study) prospective observational cohort to assess the predictive value of white blood cells for adverse outcomes.