Mean platelet volume is elevated in exacerbated and convalescent COPD patients

Abstract

Background: Mean platelet volume (MPV), reflecting the platelet production rate and stimulation, is an inflammatory marker for cardiovascular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. However, the associations between MPV and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are not in agreement.

Methods: Ninety participants with an exacerbation of COPD were investigated, and were reassessed when convalescent. Ninety controls were matched for age, gender, body mass index, smoking index, and medication use. Blood samples were collected for measurements of MPV and other laboratory data, and pulmonary function was also assessed.

Results: MPV is significantly increased in convalescent COPD patients compared with healthy controls, and further increased in COPD patients with an acute exacerbation. MPV was positively correlated with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein both in the exacerbation and convalescence periods of COPD, and negatively correlated with FEV1 % predicted and FEV1/FVC in the convalescent COPD patients.

Conclusions: MPV may be regarded as a quick and reliable tool in the assessment of inflammatory response in the progression of COPD.

Keywords: C-reactive protein; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Inflammation; Mean platelet volume; Pulmonary function.