Aim: Low-grade inflammation is known to facilitate the development of hypertensive organ damage. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the leukocyte and lipid-based inflammation indices and asymptomatic organ damage (AOD) in treatment-naive and newly diagnosed hypertension patients (TNNDH).

Methods: The study included 200 patients with TNNDH who are treating by the Cardiology Clinic and 100 healthy controls. Left venriculer mass index (LVMI) of >95 g/m2 in women and >115 g/m2 in men, and carotis intima media thickness (CIMT) of >0.9 mm or presence of plaque in the carotid artery and microalbuminuria of >30 mg/day were evaluated as AOD indicators. Platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), monocyte to HDL ratio (MHR), and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) levels were calculated based on the complete blood count.

Results: Positive correlations were found between all inflammation indices and AOD indicators. AOD was detected in 66.7% of the TNNDH patients. The mean PLR (143.0±37.9 vs. 138.0±36.2; p<0.05), mean NLR (2.1±0.5 vs. 1.8±0.5; p<0.05), mean SII (608.5±125.6 vs. 462.9±60.7; p<0.05) and mean AIP (0.7±0.2 vs. 0.5±0.2; p<0.05) levels were higher in the AOD group. Increasing SII and AIP levels were independent predictors of AOD. SII had superior diagnostic discrimination compared to other leukocyte and lipid-based inflammatory indices in predicting AOD (AUC=0.872; p<0.001).

Conclusion: High SII and API levels are independent predictors of AOD. However, SII exhibits superior diagnostic performance in discrimination of AOD. SII can be a useful screening tool in detecting AOD in HDTND patients.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis, end organ damage, hypertension, inflammation index