Evaluation of mean platelet volume in localized scleroderma*

BACKGROUND Localized scleroderma is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by sclerosis of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. Platelets play an important role in inflammation. Following activation, platelets rapidly release numerous mediators and cytokines, which contribute to inflammation. OBJECTIVES To evaluate whether there was any relation between localized scleroderma and platelet parameters. METHODS Forty-one patients with localized scleroderma were enrolled in the study. The control group consisted of 30 healthy subjects. RESULTS The mean platelet volume level in the patient group was 9.9 ± 1.3 fl and in the control group was 7.6 ± 1.1 fl. This difference was statistically significant (p< 0.001). The plateletcrit values are minimally higher in the patient group as compared to the control group. It was statistically significant (p<0.001). There was no significant difference in the platelet counts between the two groups (p= 0.560) In the patient group, there was no significant relation between the mean platelet volume levels and clinical signs of disease (p=0.09). However, plateletcrit values are higher in generalized than localized forms of disease (p=0.01). STUDY LIMITATIONS The limited number of patients and the retrospective nature of the study were our limitations. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that platelets might play a role in the pathogenesis of scleroderma. Platelet parameters may be used as markers for evaluating disease severity and inflammatory processes. Thus, there is a need for more detailed and prospective studies.