Platelet Indices in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Plain-language summary

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, immune-mediated condition characterized by relapsing inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. It primarily includes two subtypes: ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), both of which have shown a rising incidence globally over recent decades .The pathogenesis of IBD is complex and multifactorial, involving a dynamic interplay of genetic susceptibility, immune dysregulation, environmental exposures, and gut microbiota alterations . Recent studies have highlighted the emerging role of platelets beyond hemostasis, particularly in immune modulation and inflammation . Patients with IBD exhibit several platelet-related abnormalities, including changes in platelet count, size, shape, and activation status . These alterations may result from the chronic systemic inflammation characterizing IBD, leading to enhanced platelet reactivity and a prothrombotic state . Evidence suggests that inflammatory cytokines can trigger coagulation pathways, which in turn amplify inflammation, forming a self-perpetuating cycle . This interplay between inflammation and thrombosis has clinical implications, as IBD patients are at increased risk for thromboembolic events . Mean platelet volume (MPV), plateletcrit (PCT), platelet distribution width (PDW), and platelet count (PLT) are readily accessible indices from a complete blood count that may reflect platelet activity and inflammatory status . Despite these associations, results from previous studies on platelet indices in IBD patients remain inconsistent. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that MPV is significantly lower in IBD patients compared to healthy controls, while PLT and PCT tend to be elevated .However, the diagnostic and prognostic utility of these indices in clinical practice remains undefined.

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