Mean platelet volume and platelet distribution as a diagnostic marker for penile vascular disease in patients with erectile dysfunction

Abstract Objective To investigate the relationship between platelet activation parameters that are involved in the vascular response, the atherothrombotic process, and erectile function, in which epithelial dysfunction plays a significant role. Materials and methods A study was performed on patients who had a color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) of the penis due to erectile dysfunction. The patients were divided into two groups: those with normal CDUS findings, and those with vascular dysfunction on CDUS. Patients were also divided into two groups according to their scores using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). The relationships between platelet activation factors, vascular parameters, and severity of the disorder were analyzed. Results A total of 91 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in the study. CDUS showed vascular dysfunction in 55 patients (Group I), while the findings were normal in 36 patients (Group II). Age, cholesterol level, disease duration, mean platelet volume (MPV), and platelet distribution width (PDW) were compared between Groups I and II, with Group I showing significantly higher values. The parameters that could affect Doppler ultrasound results were analyzed using multivariate regression analysis. This showed that PDW and disease duration were independent prognostic factors ( p  = .021 and p  = .005, respectively). When the patients were divided into two groups according to their IIEF scores, in those with mild (Group A) and severe disease (Group B), it was found that there were significant differences between the groups with age, disease duration, and PDW, while two groups were found similar in terms of MPV, cholesterol levels, and hormone parameters. Conclusion It is supposed that increased platelet activation parameters, and PDW in particular, give important information for disease progression and follow-up of vascular dysfunction in erectile dysfunction.