Variation of Platelet Indices in Sepsis

Abstract

Introduction: Almost every organ can be affected in the case of sepsis. In fact, the hemostatic system has also been known to be adversely affected in case of sepsis. Platelet indices are cheap and readily accessible, laboratory parameters that can be used to assess the severity of sepsis.

Aims and objectives- This study was aimed at comparing the parameters of platelet indices in patients with fever and sepsis leading to multiorgan dysfunction.

Materials and methods: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted in our pathology department in patients admitted with sepsis in the medicine in-patient department over 1 year. Inclusion criteria were patients with sepsis. Two ml of blood was withdrawn from the antecubital vein of the cases and samples were collected in an EDTA vial, which was kept at room temperature on day 1 and day 7 of admission. The complete hemogram reports were analyzed. The collected data was recorded on a prestructured proforma.

Results: This study included 100 serially recruited patients having sepsis. The mean age of cases was 48.3 ± 16.3 years. While 63% of cases were male, 37% were females. The rise of PDW from day 1 to day 7 was statistically insignificant (p value= 0.24). However, the plateletcrit (PCT) fell significantly from day 1 to day 7 (p value=0.02). In our study, there were 76% survivors and 24% non-survivors. Platelet volume (MPV) rose significantly (p value=0.01), and TC fell significantly (p value<0.0001). Similarly, the platelet count also fell significantly (p value<0.05).

Conclusion: Platelet indices, especially MPV, PDW, and platelet count are reliable indicators of sepsis prognosis.