Thrombocytosis in Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease

Talstad, I., Rootwelt, K. & Gjone, E. 1973. Thrombocytosis in Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease. Scand. J. Gastroent. 8, 135-138. The occurrence of thrombocytosis was studied in 116 patients with ulcerative colitis and 43 patients with Crohn's disease. Platelet survival studies were performed in 21 of these patients. In patients with mild, moderate, and severe ulcerative colitis, thrombocytosis (> 400,000 platelets/wl) was demonstrated in 7 %, 58, and 50 % respectively. In Crohn's disease thrombocytosis was more frequent in large (86 %) than in small bowel affections (32 %). Thrombocytosis was found to be a sign of activity of the disease, since significant correlations were found with the ESR, leukocytosis, hypo-proteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, sideropenia, anemia, and depressed vitamin B 12 absorption in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Platelet survival studies showed slightly decreased half life and markedly increased platelet turnover/24 hours compared with controls.