Background:
Liver cirrhosis is an essential public health concern in Egypt. Platelet indices (PIs) are parameters routinely obtained as a part of a complete blood count. They are evolving as novel biomarkers of diagnostic and prognostic significance in hepatic disorders. Aim: A prospective study was planned to detect the diagnostic and prognostic potentials of Platelet indices (PIs) in cirrhotic individuals and hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Materials and Methods: 250 subjects participated in the study. Among them, 200 were diagnosed with liver cirrhosis and further classified into four groups: Groups I, II, and III: Each consists of 50 patients (Child-Pugh A, B, C) respectively, Group IV: 50 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 50 healthy subjects as control Group V. Detection of PIs was done by Sysmex XT-1800i automated hematology analyzer.
Results: The mean platelet volume (MPV)value is positively correlated with INR and plasma bilirubin and negatively correlated with plasma albumin in all three groups of cirrhotic individuals without HCC.MPV showed a significant elevation in cases with more severe liver disease based on MELD and Child scores. MPV in HCC patients was positively related to tumor size, Child score, BCLC, and PV thrombosis but had no statistical significance. Plateletcrit (PCT) exhibited significant differences between different cirrhotic Child groups. Platelet distribution width (PDW) levels were significantly elevated in patients compared to healthy subjects, yet there was a non-significant difference in its value among patients.
Conclusions: Platelet indices might be utilized as progression and risk stratification markers in cirrhotic individuals.