Platelet indices may be correlated with severity of vasospastic disorders

BACKGROUND Vasospastic disorders are common worldwide. In daily practice, routine blood samples are used for several investigations. In this study we aimed to determine the possible correlations between lymphocyte count, platelet indices, and the severity of vasospastic disorders. MATERIAL AND METHODS Data of 102 patients admitted to our department with vasospastic disorder symptomatology were retrospectively collected. Demographic data, symptoms, and blood test results were recorded. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to their rewarming time, which is determined by the cold stimulation test. Group 1 consisted of patients with rewarming time below 20 min and Group 2 consisted of patients with rewarming time above 21 min. Demographic data and blood test results were compared between groups. Results were analyzed with the SPSS for Mac 20.0 package program. RESULTS There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in demographic variables and symptomatology. In Group 2, mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW) were higher than in Group 1, which was statistically significant (8.87 ± 0.74 vs. 8.38 ± 0.78, p=0.001 and 15.91 ± 1.92 vs. 14.7 ± 1.99, p=0.002, respectively). Similar to MPV and PDW, lymphocyte count was also higher in Group 2 than in Group 1 (2.28 ± 0.65 vs. 1.90 ± 0.68, p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS Diagnosis and grading the severity of VD is challenging, but it can be supported by the presence of increased PDW, MPV, and lymphocyte count.