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Published on: August 13, 2015
Association between mean platelet volume levels and inflammation in SLE patients presented with arthritis
Sahin Safak1, Ali Ugur Uslu2, Korkmaz Serdal2
1Gaziosmanpasa University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Tokat, Turkey.
Background:
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may be characterized by periods of remissions and chronic or acute relapses. The complexity of clinical presentation of the SLE patients leads to incorrect evaluation of disease activity. Mean platelet volume (MPV) has been studied as a simple inflammatory marker in several diseases. There is no study in the literature about MPV levels in adult SLE patients with arthritis.
Objectives:
We aimed to investigate the MPV levels in the SLE population with arthritis during and between activations.
Methods:
The study consisted of 44 SLE patients with arthritis in activation period (Group 1), the same 44 SLE patients with arthritis in remission period (Group 2) and 44 healthy controls (Group 3). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), creactive protein (CRP), white blood cell count, platelet count, and mean platelet volume (MPV) levels were retrospectively recorded from patient files.
Results:
The mean ages of the SLE subjects were 42 ± 16 years, while the mean ages of controls was 41 ± 17 years. MPV was significantly lower in Group 1(7.66±0.89fL) than in Group 2 (8.61±1.06 fL) and Group 3(8.62±1.11fL) (p<0.0001). The differences between groups reached statistical significance.
Conclusions:
We suggest that MPV levels decrease in patients with arthritis of SLE activation when compared to the same patients in remission and healthy controls.
Insights
Mean platelet volume (MPV) is lower in patients with active Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) arthritis compared to those in remission or healthy individuals. This finding may aid in assessing SLE disease activity.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
- Hematology
Background:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presents with varied clinical activity, complicating disease assessment.
- Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a potential inflammatory marker, but its role in SLE arthritis is unstudied.
- Accurate evaluation of SLE disease activity is crucial for effective patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) levels in adult Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients with arthritis.
- To compare MPV levels during SLE arthritis activation versus remission periods.
- To establish MPV as a potential biomarker for SLE disease activity.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 44 SLE patients with active arthritis (Group 1).
- Comparison with the same 44 SLE patients in remission (Group 2) and 44 healthy controls (Group 3).
- Collected data included Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and Mean Platelet Volume (MPV).
Main Results:
- MPV levels were significantly lower in active SLE arthritis (Group 1: 7.66±0.89fL) compared to remission (Group 2: 8.61±1.06fL) and controls (Group 3: 8.62±1.11fL).
- Statistical analysis confirmed significant differences in MPV across the studied groups (p<0.0001).
- No significant difference was observed between SLE patients in remission and healthy controls.
Conclusions:
- Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) decreases during active arthritis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients.
- Lower MPV levels may indicate disease activation in SLE arthritis.
- MPV serves as a potential, simple indicator for SLE disease flares.

