A Universal Immune Index (II): A Composite Quantitative Assessment Method and Calculation Tool for Immune Function Based on Multidimensional Routine Laboratory Parameters
Background: Quantitative assessment of immune function is essential for clinical and health decisions in oncology, post-surgical management, and autoimmune diseases. Existing methods are either too simplistic (single indicators) or too complex and costly for routine use. A standardized, easy-to-operate tool based on routine laboratory parameters is needed for both clinical and health checkup settings. Methods: We propose the Immune Index (II), integrating 9 routine laboratory parameters across three dimensions: humoral immunity (IgG, complement C3, C4), cellular immunity (CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, CD4+/CD8+ ratio), and inflammatory response (CRP, IL-6, systemic immune-inflammation index [SII]). Indicators were normalized using min-max normalization to a 0-100 scale and aggregated with fixed weights (humoral 30%, cellular 40%, inflammatory 30%). The II score ranges from 0 to 100, with a healthy reference range of 50-80. Results: A four-tier grading system was established: >=80 (immune overactivation), 50-80 (immune homeostasis), 35-50 (mild immune suppression),