ARE PLATELET INDICES ASSOCIATED WITH DIABETIC RETINOPATHY? A STUDY AT A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE

Abstract

Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) which is now an important public health
problem is a prothrombotic state which can lead to macrovascular and microvascular
complications; diabetic retinopathy (DR) being one of them. Platelet indices may serve as
prognostic markers for these patients. This study was conducted to evaluate the association
between platelet indices and diabetic retinopathy. A total of 144 patients were evaluated.
They were divided in four groups. Group 1: T2DM with Proliferative DR, Group 2: T2DM
with Non- proliferative DR, Group 3: T2DM without DR and Group 4: Healthy adults
(Control group). The mean platelet volume (MPV), Platelet distribution width (PDW), large
platelets, platelet count and HbA1c were measured in all the groups. We found that MPV,
PDW, large cell platelets and HbA1c were significantly raised in all the groups as compared
to the control group. It was also observed that PDW and large cell platelets were significantly
increased in patients of proliferative DR as compared to non-proliferative DR. Our findings
thus suggest an association between platelet indices (MPV, PDW, large platelets) and DR.
Also evaluation of PDW and large cell platelets is useful in predicting progression of nonproliferative to proliferative DR (since these values increased with increasing grade of DR)
and hence it’s prognosis. Thus we conclude that there is significant association of platelet
indices with diabetic retinopathy and these can be used as predictive markers to monitor DR.