Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026
Routine Screening Method for Microparticles in Platelet Transfusions
Published on: January 31, 2018
Were the measurements standardized sufficiently in published studies about mean platelet volume?
1aDepartment of Hematology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy bDepartment of Internal Medicine, Kecioren Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
Standardization of mean platelet volume (MPV) measurements is lacking in published studies. Inconsistent reporting of factors like anticoagulant type and instrument used leads to significant variations in MPV values, impacting research accuracy.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Clinical Chemistry
- Biostatistics
Background:
- Mean platelet volume (MPV) is an indicator of platelet activation and function.
- Numerous studies have investigated MPV changes in various pathological conditions.
- Variability in MPV measurement methodologies across studies may affect reported findings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the accuracy and standardization of Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) measurements in published scientific literature.
- To identify critical factors influencing MPV measurement variability.
- To assess the impact of methodological inconsistencies on MPV research outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 81 studies from the PubMed database (since 2012) that included healthy control groups for MPV research.
- Evaluation of reported data on sex, age, platelet counts, anticoagulant type, measurement instrument, and measurement time.
- Comparison of MPV values across different measurement instruments and time intervals post-venipuncture.
Main Results:
- Significant variations in MPV measurements were observed based on the instrument used (e.g., Sysmex vs. Beckman Coulter, Abbott CELL-DYN, Siemens ADVIA), with deviations up to 17.8%.
- MPV measurement times also significantly impacted results, with differences noted between intervals <15 minutes, 15 minutes-2 hours, and >2 hours.
- Critical data such as anticoagulant type, instrument, and measurement time were not reported in a substantial number of studies (e.g., 47.5% lacked venipuncture time).
- Maximum deviations in MPV measurements, considering both time and instrument, reached up to 27.7%.
Conclusions:
- Published studies on MPV lack sufficient standardization in measurement protocols.
- Methodological inconsistencies, particularly regarding measurement instruments and timing, contribute to significant variability in MPV results.
- The lack of standardization hinders the reliable comparison of MPV data across studies and may explain discrepancies in findings for similar pathological conditions.
Abstract:
: Recently, several studies about mean platelet volume (MPV) changes in various pathological conditions were published. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the measurement in these studies. The study was performed using the data of 181 studies containing a healthy control groups within 1181 studies about MPV indexed PubMed database since 2012. A total of 81 studies were included retrospectively. The distributions of sex, age, and platelet counts were not reported in 16, 12, and 28 studies, respectively. Type of anticoagulant was not noted in 60 studies. The technology used was not specified in 36 studies. The MPV values measured with Sysmex were significantly higher than measured with Beckman Coulter, Abbott CELL-DYN, and Siemens ADVIA. The MPV measurements varied up to 17.8% by the instruments. The measurement times between 15 min and 2 h was significantly different from the measurement times less than 15 min and more than 2 h. The MPV measurement times from venipuncture were not indicated in 86 studies (47.5%). Maximum deviations in MPV measurements by the MPV measurement times and plus the instruments used varied up to 17.8 and 27.7%, respectively. Both the MPV measurement times and instruments used were not stated in 29 studies (16.0%). Only 47 prospective studies (26.0%) enlightened about the type of anticoagulant, instruments used for MPV measurement, MPV measurement time, platelet counts, and MPV values. As a result, the measurements were not standardized sufficiently in published studies about MPV. It may be explained that the differences between the results of studies made the same pathological conditions.
