A case control study on relation between the variations in platelet counts and mean platelet volume in type 2 diabetic patients on treatment and non-diabetic controls

Background: It is observed that in diabetes there is an enhanced platelets activation and increase in coagulation proteins and fibrinolytic activity is reduced. These are the pro thrombotic states which further lead to the development of cardiovascular and atherosclerotic complications. Studies have indicated that the patients of Type 2 DM have two to four folds increase in risk of atherosclerosis. Mean Platelet Volume (MPV), which is the average volume of platelets and measures platelet size distribution, and is not influenced by glycemic control. Studies have shown that a higher incidence of proliferative diabetic retinopathy and myocardial infarction are associated with increased MPV. It is observed in the diabetics that larger than normal platelets are in circulation, this is due to the activated megakaryocyte-platelet system. Platelet count and MPV can prove to be an inexpensive, simple and effective tests that may be used to predict angiopathy in type 2 DM. Few studies have used Elevated MPV levels to predict bad outcome for acute ischemic cerebrovascular events independent of other clinical parameters. Aims and Objectives: To study the relation between the variations in platelet counts and mean platelet volume in type 2 diabetic patients on treatment and non-diabetic controls. Methods: Acase control study. Results: The overall mean platelet volume was 8.41±0.68fl, for the diabetics 8.72±0.71 fl and the non-diabetic controls 8.94±0.79 fl.There was a statistically significant difference in platelet count of diabetics and healthy controls platelet counts. p =0.049 and t value of 1.99. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean platelet volume in diabetics and healthy controlswith p=0.146 and t value of 1.46. Positive correlation was observed between MPV and fasting blood sugar (r = 0.027, p <0.001) when Pearson's correlation test was applied.Also, Body Mass Index (r =0.147) and duration of diabetics (r =0.026) were positively correlated.However, platelet count and fasting blood sugar were negatively co related (r = -0.048),Platelet count was also negatively correlated with duration of diabetics (r = -0.021). Platelet count and body mass index (r = 0.032) were positively correlated. In both the diabetic patients and non-diabetic controls the relation between the platelet count and mean platelet volume showed positive correlation, Pearson's test was used and it showed statistically significant levels of 0.041 in both groups. Conclusion: The present study showed that the diabetics on treatment had higher mean platelet count than that of non-diabetics controls, it was also noted that mean platelet volume was lower in controls than in cases.