Complete blood count-derived inflammatory indices: A noninvasive aid for risk stratification in gastric ulcer

Gastric ulcer (GU) remains a significant global health concern, often leading to severe complications such as bleeding and perforation. While Helicobacter pylori infection and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use are well-recognized etiological factors, systemic inflammation plays a pivotal but underexplored role in GU pathogenesis. Shen et al provide compelling evidence linking complete blood count-derived inflammatory biomarkers with GU prevalence, identifying the systemic inflammatory response index as the most discriminative marker. Their cross-sectional analysis underscores the potential of routine hematological parameters as cost-effective, accessible tools for early identification of high-risk individuals. Importantly, this study adds to the growing body of literature suggesting that simple indices - neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio, and systemic inflammatory response index - may serve not only as diagnostic aids but also as windows into disease mechanisms involving immune dysregulation and oxidative stress. Future prospective and mechanistic studies are warranted to determine whether these markers can predict ulcer recurrence, guide therapeutic interventions, or integrate into precision gastroenterology. By leveraging widely available blood tests, we may move closer to a paradigm where inexpensive inflammatory indices refine GU risk stratification and management strategies.