External validation of the lactate dehydrogenase/albumin ratio as a clinical predictor of overall survival in Peruvians with diffuse large B cell lymphoma.

e19072 Background: The lactate dehydrogenase/albumin ratio (RLA), a potentially promising inflammatory biomarker derived from the division of serum lactate dehydrogenase and albumin values, has shown a strong correlation with overall survival (OS) in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, its validity in our specific population requires confirmation. We aimed to validate the RLA as an early predictor of OS in a cohort of Peruvian patients with DLBCL. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study recruiting consecutive patients diagnosed between 2009 and 2017, with the last follow-up on July 1, 2022, at the National Hospital Edgardo Rebagliati Martins and the Maria Auxiliadora Hospital. The optimal cutoff point for RLA was estimated using ROC curve analysis, and survival curves were plotted and analyzed using Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier methods with the Log-Rank test. Results: A total of 283 patients with a median follow-up of 2.6 (range: 0.02-10.51) years were included. The optimal cutoff point for RLA was established at 23.6. Values below 23.6 were associated with poor OS when comparing survival curves (p<0.001). In the multivariate model, a prognostic association was found between RLA and OS (HR: 3.37, 95% CI: 1.78-6.39, p<0.001). Conclusions: The RLA is confirmed as a valid biomarker in our population for predicting OS in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), allowing for early evaluation. [Table: see text]