Relationship between platelet parameters and hepatic pathology in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection – a retrospective cohort study of 677 patients

OBJECTIVE A retrospective study to determine the relationships between platelet parameters and inflammation and fibrosis of the liver in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection (CHB). METHODS Patients with liver biopsy-confirmed CHB were included in the study. Liver fibrosis and inflammation were assessed by histopathology of biopsied liver tissue. Platelet count (PLT), platelet distribution width (PDW) and mean platelet volume (MPV) were determined as part of routine blood tests. The relationship between inflammation and fibrosis and platelet parameters were analysed by multiple linear regression. RESULTS The study included 677 patients. PLT and PDW accounted for 20.5% of liver inflammation. PLT and PDW accounted for 18.4% of liver fibrosis. CONCLUSION Platelet parameters can provide valuable information for the assessment of hepatic inflammation and fibrosis.