Platelet Indices as Indicator of Diabetic Nephropathy among Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Centre in South-India

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic disease affects various organs of the body on a long-term basis. Studies have been conducted on different aspects of the disease, to understand its complications and to detect them earlier to avoid irreversible damage like nephropathy.

Aim: The study aims at comparing platelet indices like Plateletcrit (PCT), Platelet Distribution Width (PDW) and Mean Platelet Volume (MPV), with serum creatinine among diabetes, prediabetes patients and non-diabetes controls, to understand the association of the platelet indices and creatinine, an indicator of renal damage.

Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study conducted over a period of three months involved 30 non-diabetic controls with normal HbA1c, 30 diabetics and 30 prediabetic subjects, of age group 18-35 years. The groups were classified based on their HbA1c concentration. The blood samples were analyzed for parameters PCT, PDW, MPV, creatinine and HbA1c by their respective methods. The study will guide in understanding the role of platelets in pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.

Results: Platelet indices like Plateletcrit (PCT), Platelet Distribution Width (PDW) and Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) were found to be increased in diabetics and 30 prediabetic subjects than the non-diabetics. The Platelet indices were also correlating with the serum creatinine levels of the three study groups.

Conclusion: There is a positive association between the Platelet indices and creatinine, in patients with pre-diabetes and diabetes who have the risk of progression to diabetic nephropathy. Hence, the Platelet indices shall be included as early and cost-effective biomarkers of diabetic nephropathy.