Platelet counts and mean platelet volume in association with serum magnesium in maintenance hemodialysis patients

INTRODUCTION Platelet dysfunction is responsible for increased bleeding tendency of chronic renal failure patients. Magnesium (Mg) retention can occur in patients on maintenance hemodialysis. OBJECTIVES Studies concerning the impact of magnesium disturbances on platelet counts and mean volume in hemodialysis are quiet scarce. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 36 (f= 15, m= 21), HD patients were included. The mean patients' age was 46 (±16) years. The mean length of time patients had received hemodialysis was 32 (±36) (median: 19) months. RESULTS The mean platelet count was 165 (±70) (median: 163) [x10(3)μ/L]. The mean platelet volume was 9 (±1) (median: 9.2) fl. The mean Mg was 9.2 ±1.4 (median: 2.4) mg/dl. In this study a significant inverse correlation of platelet count with mean platelet volume (r= -0.39, p= 0.017) was seen. A significant inverse correlation of serum Magnesium with mean platelet volume (r= -0.37, p= 0.025) was seen. There was not significant association of serum Mg and PLT count was found too (p> 0.05). CONCLUSION A significant inverse correlation of serum Magnesium with mean platelet volume needs further investigations to clarify the clinical significance of this finding.