Is there any relationship between mean platelet volume and varicocele?

Abstract

Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a parameter that is obtained from an automatic haemogram device during routine blood count and measures platelet reactivity. Increased platelet volume has been considered to be a risk factor for vascular diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the presence of varicocele and the MPV, platelet count (PLT) and platelet distribution width (PDW) values. We included 264 patients with a diagnosis of varicocele in Group 1, and 220 patients with no varicocele in Group 2. The varicocele diagnosis was performed both with physical examination findings and colour Doppler ultrasonography (CDU). Mean platelet volume values were statistically significantly high (P < 0.001) whereas PLT and PDW values were statistically significantly low (P = 0.011), (P = 0.008) in the varicocele group compared with the control group respectively. However, no significant correlation was found between MPV and PDW in patients diagnosed with varicocele and the varicocele grade on examination and spermatic vein diameter on CDU. Mean platelet volume, which is used widely to measure the size of platelets and indicates platelet reactivity, can provide guidance in the investigation of varicocele pathophysiology and the relevant vascular pathologies.