Are There any Associations Between RDW and MPV and Noninvasive Fibrosis Scores in Primary Biliary Cirrhosis?

Background: Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) is a progressive autoimmune disease of unclear etiology that causes destructi-ve inflammation in the intrahepatic bile ducts. Predicting liver fibrosis in these patients is important for the early identification of those who may require transplantation. Our aim is to investigate the role of routinely measured complete blood count parameters—specifically red cell distribution width (RDW) and mean platelet volume (MPV) in predicting liver fibrosis. Materials and Methods: Data from 39 patients diagnosed with PBC, including demographic, hematological, biochemical, and imaging parameters, were retrospectively analyzed. The presence of anti-mitochondrial antibodies was recorded for diag-nostic purposes. To assess the severity of fibrosis, Fibrosis 4 score (FIB-4) and Aspartate Aminotransferase to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) scores were calculated. Patients were divided into three groups based on FIB-4 (<1.45, 1.45-3.25, and >3.25) and APRI (<0.5, 0.5-1.5, and >1.5) scores, and laboratory parameters were compared. Results: Of the patients included in the study, 37 (94.9%) were female. The mean age was 51.6± 15.5 years. The average FIB-4 score was 1.7 ± 1.3 (range: 0.4–6.2), and the APRI score was 1.0 ± 0.5 (range: 0.1–8.8). Six patients (15.3%) had a FIB-4 score above 3.25 and 5 patients (12.8%) had an APRI score above 1.5. In the comparison based on FIB-4 score, significant differences were found between the groups in age (p=0.041), aspartate transferase (AST) (p=0.005), alanine transferase (ALT) (p=0.004), bilirubin level (p=0.002), and platelet count (p<0.001). However, no significant differences were found in MPV (p=0.159) and RDW (p=0.357). In the comparison based on APRI score, significant differences were found between the groups in AST (p<0.001), ALT (p<0.001), ALP (p=0.009), GGT (p=0.030), and total bilirubin (p<0.001). Similarly, no significant differences were found between the groups in MPV (0.195) and RDW (p=0.369). Conclusions: As a result of our study, we determined that MPV and RDW values are not useful parameters for predicting fibrosis or progression to cirrhosis in patients with PBC.