Platelet Count and Mean Platelet Volume in Patients with Nasal Polyposis

Aim: Nasal polyps (NPs) are the most common reason for nasal obstruction, with a prevalence of 1-4%. Although the etiology is not clearly known, chronic infections and mechanical, immunological, and biochemical factors can play a role in the etiology. Recently, mean platelet volume (MPV) was recognized as a simple inflammatory marker in the inflammatory disease. In this study, we aimed to evaluate platelet (PLT) and MPV in patients with NPs. Material and Method: This study included 80 histopathologically proven patients with NPs and 80 age-and sex-matched healthy subjects as controls. The Lund-Mackay staging system was used to evalute paranasal sinus CT scans, in patients with NPs, and paranasal sinus CT scores were recorded. Values of MPV, platelet (PLT), platelet crit (PCT) and platelet distribution width (PDW) were assessed in NP and control groups. Results: MPV and PLT values were found to be low in patients with NPs, at 8.57 +/- 1.62 fL and 259.99 +/- 62.03 x103/mu L, respectively, compared with the control groups, at 8.79 +/- 1.49fL and 270.29 +/- 61.82 x103/mu L. These findings were not statistically significant. PDW values were found to be slightly high in patients with NPs, at 17.1 +/- 1.36 fL, compared with the control group, at 16.78 +/- 1.04 fL (p= 0.075). But PCT values were found to be low in patients with NPs, at 0.21 +/- 0.065, compared with the control group, at 0.23 +/- 0.069 (p= 0.044). This finding was statistically significant. Discussion: In our study, the MPV and PLT values were lower in patients with NPs, but the difference was not statistically significant. According to our findings, the use of MPV as an inflammation marker in patients with NPs does not seem to be reliable.