Comparison of platelet indices in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and control group

Several studies have shown a correlation between platelet indices (PIs) and inflammation. This case-control study aimed to compare the PIs of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with healthy individuals without any conditions that might influence PIs. The study was conducted at Ali-Ebne-Abitaleb Hospital in Zahedan, Iran. RA patients were diagnosed according to the 2010 European League against Rheumatism- American College of Rheumatology (EULAR-ACR) classification criteria, while the control group comprised healthy individuals matched by age and sex. Participants from the case and control groups were excluded if they had known conditions that could affect PIs. The study included 62 active RA patients, 68 inactive RA patients, and 53 healthy individuals. Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) values were 9.4 ± 1.3 fL, 9.6 ± 1.6 fL, and 9.5 ± 1.0 fL in the active RA, inactive RA, and control groups, respectively. The Mean Platelet Distribution Width (PDW) values were 13.3 ± 7.2, 12.7 ± 2.8, and 11.9 ± 1.7 in the active RA, inactive RA, and control groups, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the three groups in terms of age, gender, body mass index, MPV, or PDW (P > 0.05 for all). This study found no statistically significant differences inmean MPV and PDW values among active RA, inactive RA, and control groups (P > 0.05 for all). However, it is important to note that numerous confounding factors can influence MPV and PDW. Therefore, these platelet indices may not serve as precise indicators of disease activity in patients with RA.