Platelet volume indices in patients with varicocele

OBJECTIVE This study sought to evaluate platelet volume indices (mean platelet volume [MPV], platelet distribution width [PDW], and platelet large cell ratio [P-LCR]) in varicocele patients, and compare it with platelet volume parameters in healthy controls. METHODS This cross-sectional study involved 2 groups: group 1 included 51 varicocele subjects and group 2 consisted of 50 healthy control subjects of similar ages. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-K2 anticoagulant between 8:30 AM and 10 AM following an overnight fast. Platelet volume parameters (MPV, PDW, and P-LCR) were measured in both groups within 2 hours of sampling. RESULTS The mean PDW, MPV, and P-LCR were 13.9±2.5%, 10.1±1.3 fL, and 27.3±7.8% in varicocele patients, respectively, and were 12.6±2.4%, 9.3±1.1 fL, and 21.9±6.4% in the control group, respectively. The mean PDW, MPV, and P-LCR were significantly higher in the varicocele group than the control group. CONCLUSION The results of the present study suggest that vascular components may play an important role in the pathophysiology of varicocele; therefore, there is a great need for prospective studies to confirm this relationship.