Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) as an indicator of disease activity and severity in lupus
Abidullah Khan1, Iqbal Haider1, Maimoona Ayub1
1Department of Medicine, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, 25000, Pakistan.
Abstract:
Background: Amongst the different clinical and laboratory parameters used to monitor disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), mean platelet volume (MPV) is a novel biomarker. Although MPV has been studied in other rheumatological conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, its role in adult SLE needs to be defined, especially in Pakistan. Methods: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of MPV as a biomarker of disease activity in SLE. Fifty patients were recruited through a consecutive non-probability sampling technique for this cross-sectional study. On the basis of their SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) score of greater or lesser than 5, these 50 participants were divided into two equal groups respectively;25 patients with active SLE, and another 25 participants with stable, inactive lupus. MPV was measured in each group and compared using SPSS version 16. MPV was also correlated with SLEDAI and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Independent sample t-test and Spearman's rho and Pearson's correlation tests were applied. Sensitivity and specificity of MPV were checked through ROC analysis. Results: The MPV of patients with active SLE (n=25, mean [M]=7.12, SD=1.01) was numerically lower than those in the inactive-SLE group (n=25, M= 10.12, SD=0.97), and this was statistically significant ( P<0.001). MPV had an inverse relationship with both ESR (r=-0.93, P<0.001) and SLEDAI (r s= -0.89, P<0.001). However, there was a strong positive correlation between ESR and SLEDAI (r s=0.90, P<0.001). For MPV, a cutoff value of less than 8.5fl had a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 100% ( P< 0.001). Conclusions: Higher disease activity in SLE is associated with a correspondingly low MPV.
Insights
Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a novel biomarker for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease activity. Lower MPV levels indicate higher SLE disease activity, with a cutoff of <8.5fl showing high sensitivity and specificity.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Clinical Immunology
- Hematology
Background:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) monitoring relies on various clinical and laboratory parameters.
- Mean platelet volume (MPV) is an emerging biomarker, with its role in adult SLE, particularly in Pakistan, requiring further definition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utility of MPV as a biomarker for assessing disease activity in adult patients with SLE.
- To correlate MPV levels with established disease activity indices and inflammatory markers in SLE.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 50 SLE patients, divided into active (SLEDAI > 5) and inactive (SLEDAI <= 5) groups.
- Measurement of MPV, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) scores.
- Statistical analysis including independent sample t-tests, correlation analyses (Spearman's rho, Pearson's), and ROC analysis for sensitivity and specificity.
Main Results:
- Patients with active SLE exhibited significantly lower MPV compared to those with inactive SLE (P<0.001).
- MPV showed a strong inverse correlation with both ESR (r=-0.93) and SLEDAI (r=-0.89) (P<0.001).
- A MPV cutoff value <8.5fL demonstrated 92% sensitivity and 100% specificity for active SLE.
Conclusions:
- Diminished MPV is significantly associated with increased disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus.
- MPV serves as a potentially valuable and sensitive biomarker for monitoring SLE activity.
