The mean platelet volume in subjects with impaired fasting glucose

Mean platelet volume (MPV), a determinant of platelet function, is a newly emerging risk factor for atherothrombosis. Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) is probably a frequent glycemic disorder in the general population and is considered as a prediabetic state. The present study was designed to evaluate MPV in subjects with IFG compared with diabetic patients and normoglycemic control subjects. We selected 50 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, 50 subjects with IFG, and 50 normoglycemic healthy subjects matched for age, gender, and body mass index. MPV was very significantly higher in diabetic and IFG groups than in control group (p < 0.00, p < 0.05, respectively); it was also higher in diabetic group than in IFG group (p < 0.05). Platelet counts were not different among the study groups (p > 0.05). Platelet mass was significantly higher in diabetic and IFG groups than in normotensives (p < 0.00, p < 0.05, respectively); and it was also higher in diabetic group than in IFG group (p < 0.05). MPV and platelet mass were positively correlated with fasting glucose and HbA1c in diabetic and IFG groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our data suggests one possible mechanism by which subjects with IFG may be at increased cardiovascular risk.