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Mean platelet volume (MPV) is associated with leukoaraiosis in the apparently healthy elderly

Seong-Jin Kang1, Byoung-Jin Park, Jae-Yong Shim

  • 1Department of Family Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics
|November 15, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Mean platelet volume (MPV) may indicate platelet activity and is linked to inflammation and thrombosis. Higher MPV levels were independently associated with an increased risk of leukoaraiosis, a condition of white matter abnormalities in the brain.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Hematology
  • Geriatrics

Background:

  • Leukoaraiosis signifies diffuse white matter abnormalities on brain MRI, linked to cerebral microangiopathy and geriatric syndromes.
  • Mean platelet volume (MPV) reflects platelet size and activity, serving as a marker for inflammation and thrombosis in various vascular disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between MPV and leukoaraiosis in healthy elderly individuals.
  • To determine if MPV is an independent predictor of leukoaraiosis.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 223 healthy elderly subjects undergoing health examinations, including brain MRI.
  • Comparison of MPV levels between subjects with and without leukoaraiosis.
  • Multivariate logistic regression analysis to assess the independent association between MPV and leukoaraiosis, adjusting for confounders.

Main Results:

  • The prevalence of leukoaraiosis was 15.3% in the study population.
  • Mean MPV was significantly higher in the leukoaraiosis group (8.4±0.8 fL) compared to the control group (8.1±1.0 fL).
  • A 1 fL increment in MPV was independently associated with a 1.61-fold increased risk of leukoaraiosis (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.02-2.53).

Conclusions:

  • Mean platelet volume (MPV) is independently and positively associated with leukoaraiosis.
  • Elevated MPV may serve as a useful additional biomarker for assessing leukoaraiosis risk in clinical practice.
  • This finding highlights the potential role of platelet activity in the pathogenesis of white matter abnormalities.

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