Mean Platelet Volume to Lymphocyte Ratio as a Novel Marker for Diabetic Nephropathy.

Abstract

To compare mean platelet volume to lymphocyte ratio (MPVLR) of diabetic nephropathy subjects to those diabetics without diabetic nephropathy. Observational, cross-sectional study. Tertiary referral hospital, in Bolu, Turkey, from July to December 2017. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus admitted to the Internal Medicine Clinic, were included. Patients were divided into two groups according to the urinary microalbumin/creatinine ratio: diabetic nephropathy and non-nephropathy group. MPVLR was calculated mathematically by division of MPV by lymphocyte count. There were 162 subjects (79 females, 83 males). The MPVLR in patients with diabetic nephropathy and non- nephropathic diabetic groups were 4.1 (2.09-11.84) and 3.4 (1.37-25.56), respectively. The difference was reached statistically significant level (p <0.001). The best cut-off value for MPVLR was 3.66 (AUC=0.733, p <0.001); MPVLR predicted diabetic nephropathy with 71.1% sensitivity and 67.4% specificity, at this level. The MPVLR is an easily calculated and efficient index that can be considered a powerful and independent predictor of diabetic nephropathy in diabetic patients. We suggest that, it can be useful adjunct to standard tests in the diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy.