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Platelet mean volume, distribution width, and count in type 2 diabetes, impaired fasting glucose, and metabolic
Francesco Zaccardi1, Bianca Rocca, Dario Pitocco
1Internal Medicine and Diabetes Care Unit, Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy; Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
Insights
Platelet activation is linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study found higher mean platelet volume and wider platelet distribution width in T2DM patients, suggesting potential CVD biomarkers.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Hematology
Background:
- Platelet activation is a key factor in cardiovascular disease (CVD), a major complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and pre-diabetic states.
- Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a readily measurable platelet parameter associated with CVD risk.
- The study investigates MPV, platelet distribution width (PDW), and platelet count in T2DM, impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and metabolic syndrome.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess differences in mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and platelet count among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and metabolic syndrome compared to controls.
- To evaluate the potential of these platelet parameters as indicators of CVD risk in diabetic and pre-diabetic conditions.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science was conducted for studies published in English up to June 2014.
- Included were case-control and cross-sectional studies reporting MPV, PDW, or platelet count data in subjects with T2DM, IFG, IGT, metabolic syndrome, and control groups.
- Standardized mean differences were calculated within studies and synthesized using a random-effects model, with subgroup analyses performed.
Main Results:
- Thirty-nine studies were included in the meta-analysis.
- Mean platelet volume (MPV) was significantly higher in T2DM and IFG groups compared to controls.
- Platelet distribution width (PDW) was significantly wider in T2DM, while platelet count was higher in IFG and metabolic syndrome groups.
Conclusions:
- Data indicate that individuals with T2DM tend to exhibit elevated MPV and PDW values compared to those without T2DM.
- Platelet count did not show significant differences in T2DM patients.
- Further research is needed to determine if these morphometric platelet changes contribute to CVD in T2DM or can serve as reliable CVD biomarkers.
Background:
Platelet activation contributes to cardiovascular disease (CVD), the main complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and pre-diabetic conditions. Mean platelet volume is an easy-to-measure platelet parameter that has been associated with CVD. We sought to assess mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, and platelet count in T2DM, impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and metabolic syndrome.
Methods:
Web-based literature search (PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science) of studies published in English through June 2014 was performed to select case-control and cross-sectional studies that reported data on mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, or platelet count in cases (subjects with T2DM, IFG, IGT, or metabolic syndrome) and noncases. Descriptive and quantitative information was extracted, and within-study standardized mean difference was estimated from means and standard deviations. Standardized mean differences across studies were synthesized using a random random-effects model, and subgroup analyses were performed on pre-specified study-level characteristics.
Results:
Thirty-nine studies were included. Compared with controls, mean platelet volume was significantly higher in T2DM (standardized mean difference, 95% confidence interval: 0.70, 0.50-0.91; N = 24,245), IFG (0.14, 0.02-0.26; N = 17,389) but not in metabolic syndrome (0.15, -0.24 to 0.55; N = 14,990). Platelet distribution width was wider in T2DM (0.93, 0.09-1.76; N = 471). Platelet count resulted higher in IFG (0.18, 0.12-0.24; N = 3960) and metabolic syndrome (0.39, 0.01-0.78; N = 4070). Only two studies included IGT.
Conclusions:
Available data suggest that T2DM subjects tend to have higher mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width values, but nondifferent platelet count as compared with subjects without T2DM. Whether and how these morphometric changes contribute to CVD of T2DM or can be used as CVD biomarker awaits further investigation.
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