Plateletcrit and Mean Platelet Volume in the Evaluation of Liver Cirrhosis and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Egyptian Patients

Abstract Background Chronic liver disease secondary to liver cirrhosis from non alcoholic fatty liver disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality and a major public health problem in Egypt. Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a marker that reflects platelet activation and function. MPV values were increased in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, chronic hepatitis, and liver cirrhosis. Recently, MPV and MPV/platelet count ratio were proposed as markers for the diagnosis of HCC in patients with chronic liver disease. Objective To identify noninvasive, easy, and cheap markers for diagnosis and staging of NAFLD and cirrhotic patients without the need for liver biopsy. Patients and Methods A case control study conducted on 133 patients with liver cirrhosis and non-alcoholic fatty liver patients in hepatology outpatient clinics, inpatient ward, and intensive care unit at Menoufia University hospital, during a period time from April 2022 to May 2023. Results RBCs and HGB were significantly increased in control group (4.95±0.56, 11.97±1.56) than NAFLD (4.58±0.70, 11.11±1.94) and Cirrhosis (4.11±0.75, 10.89±2.02), respectively. While, PCT was significant increase in Cirrhosis (0.31±0.15) group than NAFLD (0.23±0.12) and control (0.14±0.06). MPV was significantly increased in NAFLD (10.75±2.18) than control (9.46±1.72) and cirrhosis (8.61±0.58), (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences among studied groups according to WBCs, Platelets and PDW (P > 0.05) Conclusion A current survey revealed that PLT indices can be treated as potential prognostic markers in liver cancer (LC) and NAFLD patients, correlating significantly with biochemical markers of liver fibrosis. According to our observations, PCT in LC and MPV in NAFLD turned out to be the most powerful markers. The study results showed an increase in MPV in patients with NAFLD. Rise in MPV in NAFLD can suggest the need for early evaluation and appropriate treatment by clinicians.