European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

PLATELET DISTRIBUTION WIDTH: ROLE IN DIABETES MELLITUS AND ITS MICROVASCULAR COMPLICATIONS

Dr. Sruthi Prasad* and Dr. Pallavi Saxena

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus(DM) is a global pandemic with high mortality and morbidity due to its long term microvascular and macrovascular complications. Altered platelet morphology and function play a key role in the pathogenesis of DM and its vascular complications. This is reflected as a change in various platelet indices such as Mean Platelet Volume, Platelet Distribution Width and Platelet Large Cell Ratio. The aim of study is to evaluate platelet distribution width(PDW) in diabetic patients and compare it with a non diabetic control group. We also attempted to compare PDW within the diabetic cohort amongst those with and without microvascular complications. Methodology: The study was carried out on patients with DM, attending the medicine out-patient department. Relevant history, fasting blood glucose and hematological parameters (platelet indices and complete blood counts) were assessed as part of the routine investigations. A total of 320 diabetics were screened for the study. After applying exclusion criteria, 52 diabetics and also 62 non-diabetic controls were included in the study. Statistical analysis was done. Results: The PDW was significantly higher in diabetic patients when compared to the control group, (p=0.000022). Among the diabetics, PDW was significantly higher in those with microvascular complications as compared to those without (p=0.00223). Conclusion: Evaluation of PDW provides an insight into the pathogenesis of DM and also its microvascular complications. PDW is a simple, cost effective haematological investigation, which can possibly be used as a screening tool in DM patients and a prognosticator of diabetic microvascular complications.

Keywords: Platelet Distribution Width, Diabetes Mellitus, Microvascular complications.