Mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width levels in patients with mild psoriasis vulgaris with metabolic syndrome.

Introduction: Psoriasis vulgaris (PV) is a common inflammatory skin disease characterized by incomplete differentiation and hyperproliferation of epidermal keratinocytes. Platelets play a role in inflammatory reactions and the immune response and may be activated by a variety of stimulants. Studies in recent years have shown increased incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in psoriasis patients. However, the mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW) values have not been assessed in PV accompanied by MetS.

Aim: To evaluate MPV and PDW levels and their association with metabolic parameters in the presence of MetS in PV patients.

Material and methods: A total of 76 patients with mild PV, including 38 with MetS and 38 without MetS, 38 patients with MetS without PV and 35 healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. The number of platelets, MPV, PDW, fasting blood glucose, urea, creatinine, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, thyroid stimulating hormone, free triiodothyronine, and the free thyroxine levels were evaluated.

Results: Mean platelet volume and PDW levels were significantly higher in the mild PV with MetS group compared to the mild PV without MetS group, MetS without PV patients and the healthy control group ( p < 0.05, for all). There was no significant difference between the mild PV without MetS group and the healthy control group in terms of MPV and PDW levels ( p > 0.05, for all). There was no significant difference between the groups with MetS and without MetS in terms of the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) ( p > 0.05). The PASI was not correlated with MPV and PDW. In addition, metabolic parameters were not correlated with MPV and PDW in mild PV patients.

Conclusions: Mean platelet volume and PDW levels showing platelet activation increase significantly in the presence of MetS in patients with mild PV.