Background: Diabetic nephropathy is considered one of the most common microvascular complications. Insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion are very important in the pathogenesis, It can be suggested that increased platelet volume may be an important factor in the enhanced risk of vascular complications.
Patients and Method: This study included 50 diabetic patients, 50 diabetic patients with nephropathy & 50 healthy age and sex-matched subjects as controls. Blood samples were obtained for CBC, Anticoagulated blood (ethylene diamine tetracetic acid) was collected and analyzed in an automated blood cell counter for platelet count and indices (MPV, PDW, P-LCC & P-LCR), Glucose, HbA1c, Kidney function (creatinine & urea), Albumin/creatinine ratio & lipid profile (cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, LDL & VLDL) were also done.
Results: MPV, PDW and P-LCR were all significantly higher in diabetic patients compared to the control subjectswith (P= 0.001, 0.05, 0.02 respectively). Among the diabetics, MPV was higher in diabetic patient with nephropathy as compared to those without nephropathy (P= 0.001).
Conclusions:Platelet indices, especially MPV were different between diabetics and controls as well as diabetic nephropathy. Discriminant analysis using MPV and PDW could classify majority of patients with nephropathy.