Author(s): Ramnik Singh*, Sonam Billawaria*, Gauri Patil, Rutuja Khawale and Devika Borade
Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus is a prothrombotic state with enhanced platelet activity. The enhanced platelet activity may result in the development of microvascular and macrovascular complications. Platelet indices i.e. Mean Platelet volume (MPV), Platelet Distribution Width (PDW) are routinely available in alllaboratories and can be used to study as a prognostic marker for the patients.
Aim: To evaluate platelet indices in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Methods and Material: Cross sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pathology at a tertiary care centre over a period of 18 months. Samples of 120 patients of type 2 diabetes with and without complicationswere investigated. Haematological (platelet count and platelet indices i.e. Mean platelet indices and Platelet distribution width) and biochemical parameters (Fasting blood sugar and HbA1c) were compared between diabetic patients with and without complications. Platelet indices were measured using automated haematology analyser. Statistical evaluation was performed using SPSS version 16.0.
Results: In DM with complication17 (28.33%) out of 60 cases were between the age group of 51-60 years, 14 (23.33%) out 60 belonged to the age group of 61-70 years and 12 (20%) patients were >70 years of age. The mean platelet volume was 12.74±3.076 and 8.65±1.58 for diabetes with and without complications. The mean platelet distribution width was 15.54 and 13.94±2.66 for diabetes with and without complications. The mean HbA1c was 8.33 and 6.75 for diabetes with and without complications. The mean platelet count was 3.12 Lac/mm3 and 2.45 Lac/mm3 for diabetes with and without complications. The mean fasting blood sugar was 219.65 and 109.96 for diabetes with and without complications.
Conclusion: Diabetes is responsible for endothelial dysfunction and platelet hyperactivity. In our study, diabetic patients with uncontrolled glycaemic index and raised fasting blood sugar level had raised platelet indices in comparison to patients without complication where the platelet count, platelet indices level and glycaemic index were within normal limits. These indices can also be used as a prognostic tool.
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