Are blood platelet parameters associated with retinal nerve fiber layer thickness Among healthy young adults? a university-based study

BackgroundPlatelet parameters have been linked with glaucomatous optic neuropathy but whether they were associated with retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness among healthy individuals remains unclear. We aim to determine the relationship between different platelet parameters and RNFL thickness in healthy university students.MethodsThe Dali University Students Eye Health Study is a university-based, cross-sectional study in southwestern China in 2021. RNFL thickness was measured automatically using an optical coherence tomography scanner. An automated hematology analyzer was used to analyze the platelet parameters including platelet (PLT) count, platelet distribution width (PDW), mean platelet volume (MPV) and plateletcrit (PCT). Linear regression models and generalized additive models were established to examine the associations of platelet parameters with RNFL thickness.ResultsA total of 1905 participants with valid RNFL thickness and platelet parameters data were included in the current analysis. Per unit increase in the levels of MPV and PDW was associated with a decrease of 0.74 μm (<i>P </i>= 0.04) and 0.35 μm (<i>P </i>= 0.04) in RNFL thickness in multivariable-adjusted model. Subgroup analyses indicated that the association between MPV and RNFL thickness was present in male students. A non-linear trend in the association of MPV with RNFL thickness were observed (<i>P </i>= 0.04).ConclusionIncreased levels of MPV and PDW were associated with thinner RNFLs among university students, suggesting that the platelet parameters, a simple, global, and economical markers, have the potentials to be an additional valuable biomarker for predicting the change of RNFL thickness and onset of RNFL-related nerve diseases in late adulthood.