Leukocytosis in obese individuals: possible link in patients with unexplained persistent neutrophilia

:  Background: Recently, it was shown that fat tissue produces and releases inflammatory cytokines, and that obesity may be regarded as a state of low‐grade inflammation. In this regard, we aimed to establish an association between obesity and persistent leukocytosis. Patients and methods: We presen...

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Published in:European journal of haematology 2006-06, Vol.76 (6), p.516-520
Main Authors: Herishanu, Yair, Rogowski, Ori, Polliack, Aaron, Marilus, Rafael
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
acute-phase reactants
Adipose Tissue - secretion
Adult
Aged
Blood Sedimentation
Body Mass Index
C-Reactive Protein
C-reactive proteins
Cross-Sectional Studies
Cytokines - secretion
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Inflammation
Leukocyte Count
leukocytosis
Leukocytosis - etiology
Male
Middle Aged
neutrophilia
Neutrophils
obesity
Obesity - blood
Obesity - complications
Obesity - physiopathology
Platelet Count
Smoking - blood
Waist-Hip Ratio
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Summary::  Background: Recently, it was shown that fat tissue produces and releases inflammatory cytokines, and that obesity may be regarded as a state of low‐grade inflammation. In this regard, we aimed to establish an association between obesity and persistent leukocytosis. Patients and methods: We present clinical observations of obese subjects primarily referred for further evaluation of leukocytosis without a cause and validated the link between leukocytosis and elevated body mass index (BMI) in a cross‐sectional study. Results: During 1999–2005, 327 patients were referred for further investigation because of persistent leukocytosis. Of these, 15.3% were asymptomatic obese, mostly females, with mild persistent neutrophilia accompanied by elevated acute‐phase reactants. After careful evaluation, no recognized cause for leukocytosis was found other than the fact that the patients were obese. During a mean follow‐up of 45.6 months, the leukocytosis and the elevated acute‐phase reactants persisted and no new causes for leukocytosis were evident. Furthermore, in a cross‐sectional analysis of 3716 non‐smoker subjects, 62 were found to have leukocytosis. Compared with the population with a normal white blood count range, these subjects with leukocytosis had higher BMI, serum C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels, waist circumference, and neutrophil and platelet count (all P 
ISSN:0902-4441
1600-0609
DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0609.2006.00658.x