The Relationship between Inflammatory Markers and Mean Platelet Volume in Patients with Diabetic Foot Infection

Objective: Diabetic foot infections (DFI) is one of the most common and debilitating complications of diabetes. Mean platelet volume (MPV), which is reported routinely in complete blood count has been shown to be increased in patients with diabetes. Higher MPV values have also been shown to be related with increased risk of cardiovascular events and thrombosis. In this study we aimed to study MPV values in DFI during the acute stage and after treatment, and its relationship between inflammatory markers. Patients and Methods: Data of all diabetic patients with DFI followed up in the Endocrinology and Metabolism Unit of Gazi University Hospital between 2004-2012 were reviewed. Forty-seven patients with diabetic foot osteomyelitis were included into the study. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell (WBC) count, platelet count, and MPV levels were recorded at baseline and after treatment from the computerized patient registry database. Results: The mean age of the patients included in the study was 59.4 +/- 10.0 years. Thirty-one (66%) patients were male. Median duration of diabetes was 15 (3-30) years. Median HbA1c was 7.9% (5.2-14). ESR, CRP, WBC and platelet counts were significantly decreased after treatment when compared to the baseline (p < 0.05). Following the treatment, we found an increase in MPV values from 8.58 +/- 1.38 to 8.68 +/- 1.74 (fl), but this was not statistically significant (p> 0.05). MPV did not correlate with ESR, CRP and WBC counts before and after treatment in diabetic foot osteomyelitis. Conclusion: The results of our study suggest that values of MPV might not be used as a marker in DFI. Prospective studies with larger number of patients are needed to evaluate the role of MPV in diabetic foot infections.