Evaluating Role of Mean Platelet Volume as a Measure of Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) has become a worldwide epidemic. Platelet indices can be used to interpret the effects of hyperglycemia on platelet function (mean platelet volume-MPV, platelet distribution width and plateletcrit). These parameters are also valuable in determining the aetiology of DM as well as the risk of disease development. The mean platelet volume (MPV) is a measurement of platelet size and activity on average. Larger platelets are younger and more active.Aims and Objectives: To study the mean platelet volume to measure glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Materials and Methods: Two hundred subjects were studied after dividing them into Cases (n=100; subjects with T2DM) and Control (n=100 subjects without T2DM) at the Department of Medicine, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College, and Hospital, Jabalpur (MP) from January 2018 to August 2019. Complete blood counts, random blood sugar (RBS), fasting blood sugar (FBS) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), was estimated and recorded. People with diabetes with good glycemic control (patients with HbA1c<7%) called Group A and diabetic patients with poor glycemic control (HbA1c≥7%) called Group B. The MPV in each group was compared. MPV, FBS, and post prandial blood sugar (PPBS) were compared between cases and control. Results: Age and gender distribution were similar between both the groups (p>0.05). A strong positive correlation between HbA1c levels and MPV levels (r= 0.65; p<0.0001). For every 1% increase in HbA1c level, there is a 2.28 fl increase in MPV among the study subjects. A positive correlation was obtained between RBS levels and MPV levels (r=0.42, p< 0.0001). For every 100mg/dl increase in RBS, there is a 2.96 fl increase in MPV among the study subjects.Conclusion: MPV was greater in patients with poor glycemic control compared to those with good glycemic control. Hence, MPV can be used as a simple measure to assess the glycemic control in T2DM patients.