Study of Platelet Parameters Among Dyslipidaemic Patients

Background Platelets play a critical role in thrombotic events. Larger platelets are more enzymatically and metabolically active and therefore have a higher thrombotic potential than smaller platelets. Hyperlipidaemia can lead to various thromboembolic complications, and platelet parameters are useful for assessing this risk. Platelet volume indices are simple, inexpensive, and reliable tools that may be useful for predicting impending acute cardiovascular events. Hyperlipidemia is a major risk factor, and studies generally show increased platelet volume indices among dyslipidemic patients compared to those with a normal lipid profile. However, a significant gap remains, as most existing studies report only a general correlation between platelet volume indices and the presence of dyslipidemia. Few to no studies have specifically correlated individual platelet indices with individual biochemical lipid parameters. Furthermore, data establishing this association in the South indian cohort is limited. Aim The aim of this study is to investigate the association between platelet parameters, including platelet volume indices, and lipid profile. Methods This was a cross-sectional comparative study done over four months from July 2024 to October 2024 with a sample size of 120 participants. Samples collected for complete blood count were included in the study and analysed for platelet parameters. Patients below 20 years of age, samples with prolonged storage, known hereditary platelet disorders, thrombocytopenia, previous blood transfusion, history of diabetes, patients receiving hypolipidaemic or antiplatelet medication, and those presenting with any acute inflammatory condition were excluded. The blood samples were analysed for platelet parameters: mean platelet volume (MPV), plateletcrit (Pct), platelet distribution width (PDW), and platelet-large cell ratio (P-LCR). The results were correlated with biochemical lipid profile values. The individual correlation of platelet parameters with every lipid parameter was done with Pearson's correlation test. Results Platelet parameters, particularly P-LCR and MPV, were significantly higher among patients with abnormal lipid profiles. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was observed between individual platelet indices and specific lipid parameters. Conclusion This study demonstrates that a simple first-line test, the complete blood count, may help identify individuals with abnormal lipid levels who are at risk of thrombotic events such as cardiovascular disease. The positive correlation observed between individual Platelet volume indices and specific lipid parameters suggests that these indices could serve as a cost-effective, easily accessible marker for tracking patients with abnormal lipid profiles, preventing any ischemic events, and thereby reducing mortality.