Platelet Indices In Obstructive Sleep Apnea: The Role Of Mean Platelet Volume, Platelet Distribution Widht And Plateletcrit

Introduction: Because studies report controversial findings of mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW), we aimed to investigate platelet indices in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).Materials and Methods: One hundred seventy three patients with OSA and 43 control subjects included in analyses. Patients with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) >= 5 were considered to have OSA and an AHI < 5 were considered as control. Platelet indices (MPV, PDW, plateletcrit) were obtained from routine analysis of blood samples using an automated blood cell counter.Results: Among platelet indices, only PDW was higher in patients with OSA, especially in severe OSA when compared to control group (16.80 +/- 0.56 vs. 16.21 +/- 1.51, p= 0.015 and 16.82 +/- 0.06 vs. 16.21 +/- 1.51, p= 0.014, respectively). Correlation analysis showed a significant but a weak correlation between the PDW and AHI (r= 0.161, p= 0.018) and the PDW and the desaturation index (r= 0.171, p= 0.016). The ROC curve analysis showed that the optimal cut-off value, distinguishing patients with OSA from those in control group, for PDW was 16.62 (sensitivity 57.8%, specificity 58.1%, AUROC 0.60, p= 0.042). After the exclusion of patients with comorbid diseases (cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and chronic inflammatory diseases), we also found weak but a significant correlation between PDW and AHI (r= 0.179, p= 0.040).Conclusion: In conclusion, among the platelet indices, only PDW was found to be higher in patients with OSA, especially in severe OSA. PDW was also correlated with apnea-hypopnea index and oxygen desaturation index.