UTILITY OF PLATELET INDICES IN THROMBOCYTOPENIA

Abstract

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to know the role and utility of platelet indices (MPV and PDW) in differentiating the etiology of thrombocytopenia.

Methods: This was a prospective and retrospective study of 400 cases of thrombocytopenia and 100 controls conducted over a period of 17 months from September 2020 to February 2022 at tertiary care hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. All patients meeting inclusion criteria were included in the study. Exclusion criteria were radiation/chemotherapy, antiplatelet drugs induced thrombocytopenia, etc. EDTA blood samples were collected and further processed with a Sysmex KX-21 automated hematology analyzer. Platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), and platelet distribution width (PDW) were noted and data were statistically analyzed between groups using t-tests.

Results: Out of 400 cases, 304 belong to Group A (increased destruction of platelets) and the remaining 96 were in Group B (decreased production of platelets). Among Group A, causes were classified into immune thrombocytopenic purpura and others. Various infections resulting in thrombocytopenia were in the majority among other causes in Group A. Group B was comprised megaloblastic anemia as the leading cause responsible for thrombocytopenia. MPV and PDW values were high in hyperdestructive Group A compared to Group B and were found significant between various groups.

Conclusion: MPV and PDW along with platelet count can be used as an adjunct laboratory tool for early screening of the underlying cause of thrombocytopenia, which helps clinicians with targeted therapies in clinical management.