Platelet indices as inflammatory markers in stable COPD

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition with underlying systemic inflammation and haemostatic changes. Aims and Objectives: Assessment of the platelet indices - platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), evaluation of their diagnostic value and association with well-known inflammatory markers. Methods: 109 patients with stable COPD and 95 healthy controls were included. Blood samples were collected in different tubes depending on the analysis. The results were analyzed by Mann-Whitney Rank Sum test performed by MedCalc statistical software. Results: Among platelet indices, PLT (P=0.007) and PLR (P=0.005) were significantly increased, while MPV (P Conclusions: Our study suggests that thrombocytosis is present in chronic inflammation observed in COPD patients. Fibrinogen may be useful as a COPD predictor. Due to its association with PLT, it confirmed systemic inflammation and haemostatic changes in COPD. Moreover, PLT showed a good performance as a COPD predictor when combined with lymphocytes in a ratio. Model combining PLR, PDW and leukocyte count has good discrimination power among healthy subjects and COPD patients.