Mean platelet volume (MPV) as an inflammatory marker in ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis

Aims: The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the correlation between MPV and the clinical disease activity indices of rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Methods: The study consisted of 32 active RA patients (males/females: 7/25, mean age: 49 +/- 13) and 30 active AS patients (males/females: 151 +/- 15, mean age: 36 +/- 12) along with 26 osteoarthritis (OA) patients (males/females: 4/22, mean age: 52 +/- 8) and 29 age-matched healthy subjects (males/females: 5/24, mean age: 41 +/- 7) as control groups for RA and AS, respectively. Results: MPV was significantly lower in both AS patients and RA patients with active disease as compared to controls (RA vs OA p < 0.001, AS vs healthy subjects p < 0.001). After treatment MPV values significantly increased in AS and RA (p < 0.001 for all). However, MPV values remained somewhat lower in RA patients than OA patients (p = 0.019). There was a negative correlation between MPV values and BASDAI scores in AS patients after two months of treatment (r = -0.507; p = 0.004). Conclusion: Our results suggest that assessment of MPV may provide additional information about inflammation in AS and RA. (C) 2008 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.