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

Abstract 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: 15/15, 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.