Prognostic role of mean platelet volume in patients with cirrhosis

Background: Studies carried out in patients with chronic hepatitis have shown that mean platelet volume (MPV) is associated with worse disease stage, although the role of MPV in patients with cirrhosis is less clear. Aim: To evaluate the association between MPV values and clinical characteristics and stage of cirrhosis, and to assess its prognostic role. Methods: We studied 75 patients with cirrhosis and assessed the association between MPV values and cirrhosis characteristics, prognostic scores, and survival. The prognostic role of longitudinal variations of MPV was also assessed in 50 patients who had at least 12 months follow-up and who had MPV determination at 3-monhtly intervals. Results: Median MPV values were not statistically different according to aetiology of liver disease (P = 0.485) and disease severity both taking into consideration the Child–Pugh classification (P = 0.438) and the Model for End-stage Liver Disease score (P = 0.978). Median MPV values were not significantly different in 23 Child–Pugh class C patients who died or survived (9.15 fL versus 9.10 fL, P = 0.794) during a 12-month follow-up. Lastly, there was no significant modification of MPV over time at the various study time-points (3-month, 6-month, 9-month, 12-month) between patients who died and those who survived. Conclusions: In patients with cirrhosis, MPV has no association with severity of disease and prognosis.