Mean Platelet Volume as a Prognostic Indicator in Sickle Cell Anemia

Abstract

Aim: To assess the use of mean platelet volume (MPV) as a prognostic indicator of sickle cell disease (SCD).Materials and methods: Fifty sickle cell patients aged 18 to 60 years, attending the Medicine outpatient department (OPD) and sickle cell clinic, or admitted with an ongoing crisis, were chosen as the study group, and 50 healthy participants were chosen as controls. A pro forma detailing relevant clinical history was obtained, with emphasis on admissions. Then, a blood sample was collected and analyzed for various parameters.Patients were classified into two categories:• Category 1: Patients with <3 reported vaso-occlusive crises in the previous year, and• Category 2: Patients with >3 reported vaso-occlusive crises in the previous year, or admitted to the medicine ward/intensive care unit (ICU), currently with an ongoing crises.Results: Mean hemoglobin (Hb) values were found to be statistically lower in sickle cell patients compared with controls, while mean total leukocyte count (TLC) and mean neutrophil % values were higher in sickle cell patients. Mean platelet volume in category 2 patients was higher compared with category 1 patients (p < 0.001), and values correlated with the mean neutrophil percentages. Also, MPV, TLC, and neutrophil % values showed a statistically significant drop (p < 0.001) 2 weeks after treatment for sickle cell crises.Conclusion: Thus, MPV can be used as a potential marker to identify patients at a greater risk of developing vaso-occlusive crises in the future, which, in a developing country like India, can be a key step toward affordable, primary prevention of future emergencies.