Mean Platelet Volume as A Marker of Thrombosis in Antiphospholipid Syndrome Patients

Abstract

Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune disease associated with venous and/or arterial thrombosis with the presence and persistence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). One of the currently discussed markers related to a high risk of thromboembolism is increased Mean Platelet Volume (MPV). This study aimed to determine the association between MPV and thrombosis events in APS patients. Systematically searched and reviewed studies from MEDLINE, Science Direct and the Cochrane Controlled Trials registry (CENTRAL) were performed from October until November 2018. Appraisal instruments from the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP-UK) for cohort studies were used. Two relevant studies were included in our review. In total, 389 patients consisting of 92 APS patients, 297 APS-negative patients, and healthy controls were involved. In two studies, the mean of MPV in APS group with thrombosis ranged from 7.85 to 9.22 fl. MPV in the APS group with thrombosis was higher than in the APS group without thrombosis and in healthy controls. The platelet size, measured as MPV, reflects platelet reactivity, including aggregation, glycoprotein IIb-IIIa expression, and production of more thrombogenic factors. In summary, there was a positive correlation between MPV and thrombosis in APS patients. Mean platelet volume might also be a potential clinical predictor for recurrence of thrombosis in APS patients. Future prospective studies with larger sample size were needed to validate this potential marker.