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Updated: Mar 21, 2026

Comprehensive Analysis of Procoagulant Platelets Exhibiting Features of Necrosis, Apoptosis and Platelet Activation
Published on: May 23, 2025
Does platelet activity play a role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic ischemic priapism?
Yavuz Ufuk1, Yilmaz Hasan1, Ustuner Murat1
1Department of Urology, University of Kocaeli, Kocaeli, Turkey.
Purpose:
Mean platelet volume (MPV) is used to measure platelet size and is defined as a potential marker of platelet reactivity. Higher MPV levels have been defined as a risk factor for increased incidence of intravascular thrombosis and its associated diseases. We aimed to determine whether a relationship exists between the MPV and veno-occlusive component of idiopathic ischemic priapism (IIP).
Materials And Methods:
Between 2010 and 2014, 38 subjects were analyzed in two groups. One was composed of 15 patients with diagnosis as IIP in our institute, and the other contained 23 healthy control subjects. Complete blood count reports were retrospectively evaluated in both groups. MPV, platelet count (PLT), platelet distribution width (PDW), white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), reticulocyte distribution width (RDW) were measured in both groups.
Results:
The mean ages were similar in IIP patients (45.86±15.82) and control subjects (47.65±10.99). The mean MPV values of IIP patients were significantly higher than control subjects (p<0.05). In contrast, also PLT counts were significantly lower in IIP patients, compared to control subjects (p<0.05). The mean hemoglobin and WBC values were significantly lower in control group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference of RBC, PDW and RDW values in both groups.
Conclusions:
We found that the MPV was significantly higher in IIP patients compared to control subjects. The high MPV levels may have contributed to the veno-occlusive etiopathogenesis of IIP disease. We strongly suggest further prospective studies to recommend the use of MPV in routine practice.
Insights
Idiopathic ischemic priapism (IIP) patients show higher mean platelet volume (MPV), a marker of platelet reactivity. This suggests elevated MPV may contribute to IIP
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Hematology
- Andrology
Background:
- Mean platelet volume (MPV) indicates platelet size and reactivity.
- Elevated MPV is a known risk factor for intravascular thrombosis.
- Idiopathic ischemic priapism (IIP) involves veno-occlusive dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between MPV and the veno-occlusive component of IIP.
- To determine if MPV levels differ in patients with IIP compared to healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 38 subjects (15 IIP patients, 23 controls) from 2010-2014.
- Evaluation of complete blood count parameters including MPV, platelet count (PLT), WBC, RBC, Hb, PDW, and RDW.
- Comparison of hematological parameters between IIP patients and healthy controls.
Main Results:
- IIP patients exhibited significantly higher MPV compared to controls (p<0.05).
- Platelet counts (PLT) were significantly lower in IIP patients versus controls (p<0.05).
- Hemoglobin and WBC levels were lower in the control group; no significant differences in RBC, PDW, or RDW were observed.
Conclusions:
- Significantly elevated MPV in IIP patients suggests a potential role in the disease's veno-occlusive etiopathogenesis.
- High MPV may be a contributing factor to the development of IIP.
- Further prospective studies are recommended to validate MPV's utility in routine clinical practice for IIP.
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