Frequency of Increased Mean Platelet Volume in Patients Suffering From Hypertensive Retinopathy

Abstract

Introduction: The pathophysiological mechanism of hypertensive retinopathy is not fully established. It is thought that increased platelet activation may play a role in its pathogenesis. As mean platelet volume is a marker of platelet activation, so this study was designed to answer the question: does mean platelet volume increase in hypertensive retinopathy. Objective: To determine the frequency of increased mean platelet volume in hypertensive retinopathy. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Study Duration: Six months. Setting: Outpatient department of Medical unit III, Allied Hospital, Faisalabad. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 138. patients of essential hypertension with hypertensive retinopathy of all ages and both sexes were included. For grading of hypertensive retinopathy according to the Keith Wagener classification, direct ophthalmoscopy was performed in all the subjects and mean platelet volume was measured after taking the blood sample. Results: The mean platelet volume was found to be normal (≤10 fl) in 97 patients (70.3%), among them 53 were males and 44 were females. Elevated levels of mean platelet volume (>10 fl) were found in 41 patients (29.7 %), of these 19 were males while 22 were females. In patients of grade 1 hypertensive retinopathy, the mean platelet volume was 9.1 ± 0.6 fl. In grade 2, 3 and 4 hypertensive retinopathy the values of mean platelet volume were 9.6 ± 0.5 fl, 10.1 ± 0.3 fl and 10.7 ± 0.6 fl respectively. Conclusion: This study concluded that frequency of mean platelet volume is increased in patients of hypertensive retinopathy and frequency increases with increasing the severity of hypertensive retinopathy.