Conclusion
We could find no diagnostic role of the HALP index which combines the factors of malnutrition (hemoglobin and albumin) with factors of the inflammatory response (counts of lymphocytes and platelets). However, albumin and lymphocytes counts were significant differences in the patients with PCa and BPH. To date, the possible diagnostic role in PCa of these two parameters have been demonstrated for the first time in the literature. With the heterogeneous character of the PCa, none of the biomarkers, screening tests or scoring systems, can provide diagnostic value but by combining prostate imaging and tissue sampling they are one piece of the whole structure. Further prospective clinical studies that include more patients from multiple centers to show the diagnostic role of the HALP score and its components on patients with PCa are needed.
Conflict of interest: Authors declared no conflict of interest