Association of platelet parameters with chronic complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus

To determine the association of platelet parameters with chronic complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Platelets play an important role in the integrity of normal homeostasis. Altered platelet morphology and platelet hyperactivity is associated with an increased prothrombotic state. In diabetes mellitus, there is increased platelet activity which eventually play a role in the development of vascular complications which are responsible for its morbidity and mortality. A hospital based prospective cohort study was performed to study the level of platelet parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Platelet parameters such as platelet count, MPV (Mean Platelet Volume), PDW (Platelet Distribution Width), PCT (plateletcrit) and P-LCR (Platelet-Large Cell Ratio) were assessed using Mind ray BC-5150 Auto Haematology Analyser. The data were entered into SPSS (IBM) version 21 and descriptive statistical methods like mean, standard deviation, percentages, etc. were applied. T-test was applied to find out the association of platelet parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus at baseline and after 6 months of follow-up. The age of the study population ranged from (30-60) years. From the total of 110 participants that were followed - up, 98(89.1%) presented with micro vascular complications. On the other hand, 32(29.1%) had at least one macro vascular complication. Platelet parameters – MPV, PDW, PCT and P-LCR were found to be significantly higher in type 2 DM with micro vascular as well as macro vascular complications as compared to those without complications. Higher values of MPV, PDW, PCT and P-LCR indicates that platelet parameters can be used as better prognostic markers for early detection of diabetic complications and therefore can be used as a simple and cost-effective tool to monitor and predict the risk of micro vascular and macro vascular complications in diabetes.