Abstract
BackgroundActivated platelets and platelet indices have a vital role in bronchial hyper-responsiveness, bronchoconstriction, bronchial inflammation, airway remodeling, angiogenesis, allergic reactions, and repair and renewal of tissues; platelets contain mediators that lead to inflammatory response.AimThe aim was to assess the use of platelet indices [mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), plateletcrit (PCT), and platelet large cell ratio (PLCR)] as cheap and readily available biomarkers for bronchial asthma exacerbation.Patients and methodsA case–control study involved 45 bronchial asthma female patients during both stable and exacerbation phases, and 45 age-matched healthy female patients as a control group. Measurements of platelet counts, MPV, PDW, PCT, PLCR, C-reactive protein (CRP), spirometric indices, and arterial blood gases were performed for all participants.ResultsThe MPV and PDW were significantly lower, whereas the PCT and PLCR were considerably higher in exacerbation phase compared with stable phase and in stable phase in comparison with controls (P<0.001). The MPV and PDW were negatively correlated with white blood cells, PaCO2, symptoms duration, and hs-CRP (high sensitive), with positive correlation with forced expiratory volume in the first second and PaO2 (P<0.001). PCT and PLCR were positively correlated with white blood cells, PaO2, and symptoms duration, and negatively correlated with forced expiratory volume in the first second, symptoms duration, and hs-CRP (P<0.001).ConclusionThe platelet indices were altered in exacerbation phase compared with stable phase and control group. Therefore, clinicians should not ignore interpreting platelet indices during asthma exacerbation, especially as these tests are simple, readily available, and of lower cost. It appears that measurement of the platelet indices is a valuable indicator of asthma severity/activity and appears as a useful screening test for asthma exacerbation.
Highlights
Bronchial asthma exacerbations are episodes described by progressive increase in symptoms of cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and/or chest tightness, with a progressive decrease in lung function [1]
The mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW) were significantly lower, whereas the PCT and platelet large cell ratio (PLCR) were considerably higher in exacerbation phase compared with stable phase and in stable phase in comparison with controls (P
The MPV and PDW were negatively correlated with white blood cells, PaCO2, symptoms duration, and hs-C-reactive protein (CRP), with positive correlation with forced expiratory volume in the first second and PaO2 (P
Summary
Bronchial asthma exacerbations are episodes described by progressive increase in symptoms of cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and/or chest tightness, with a progressive decrease in lung function [1]. Platelet indices, which include the mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), plateletcrit (PCT), and platelet large cell ratio (PLCR), have been available in the laboratory routine using blood cell counters for several years; they are related to platelets’ morphology and proliferation kinetics [6]. Their measurement is inexpensive, effective, and easy, and is proposed to be a beneficial method for assessment of platelet function and activation [7]. Activated platelets and platelet indices have a vital role in bronchial hyper-responsiveness, bronchoconstriction, bronchial inflammation, airway remodeling, angiogenesis, allergic reactions, and repair and renewal of tissues; platelets contain mediators that lead to inflammatory response
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