Variables
The exposure variables were the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), defined as the quotient between neutrophil or platelet count and lymphocyte count. We calculated both ratios using the patient’s complete blood count, and defined elevates NLR and PLR; as a cut-off point of 3.5 and 232.5; respectively(14). The primary outcome was mortality, which is a dependent variable composed of the probability of dying and the time until the development of the event. Other variables of interest included age (years), sex, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (ml /min/1.73m2), CKD stage (stratified into three groups: initial stages (1 and 2), intermediate stages (3a and 3b) and advanced stages (4 and 5), platelets. (K/ul), albumin (g/dl), hemoglobin (g/dl) and comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension.