The Role Of Mean Platelet Volume In Predicting Diabetic Complications

The mean platelet volume (MPV); is a marker that gives information about platelet function, activity, and volume. Increased MPV indicates larger platelets which are more active and inclined to more adhesion and aggregation. In diabetics, increased adhesion and aggregation can lead to blockage in the microvascular system, diabetic complication, ischemia, and hypoxia. We compared MPV in patients with microalbuminuria (MA) and/or patients with/without hypertension (HT) who have type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) as an indicator of complications. Eighty patients (aged 18-65) with/ without MA and/or HT with type 2 DM and 30 healthy subjects were included into the study and divided into 4 groups as Group 1: Type 2 DM without HT and MA, Group 2: Type 2 DM with HT and without MA, Group 3: Type 2 DM without HT and with MA, Group 4: Type 2 DM with HT and MA. The MPV’s of patients in Group 2, Group 3 and Group 4 were higher than controls (p=0.005,p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively), but not higher than Group 1. The mean MPV values in diabetic patients were significantly higher than the controls (p<0.001). Although higher MPV levels were found in diabetic patients compared to control, MPV levels are not useful in monitoring and predicting complications in type 2 DM patients.