Platelet counts and mean platelet volume in association with serum magnesium in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Introduction: Platelet dysfunction is responsible for increased bleeding tendency of chronic renal failure patients. Magnesium (Mg) retention can occur in patients on maintenance hemodialysis.Objectives: Studies concerning the impact of magnesium disturbances on platelet counts and mean volume in hemodialysis are quiet scarce. Patients and Methods: A total of 36 (f= 15, m= 21), HD patients were included. The mean patients’ age was 46 (±16) years. The mean length of time patients had received hemodialysis was 32 (±36) (median: 19) months. Results: The mean platelet count was 165 (±70) (median: 163) [x10(3)μ/L]. The mean platelet volume was 9 (±1) (median: 9.2) fl. The mean Mg was 9.2 ±1.4 (median: 2.4) mg/dl. In this study a significant inverse correlation of platelet count with mean platelet volume (r= -0.39, p= 0.017) was seen. A significant inverse correlation of serum Magnesium with mean platelet volume (r= -0.37, p= 0.025) was seen. There was not significant association of serum Mg and PLT count was found too (p> 0.05). Conclusion: A significant inverse correlation of serum Magnesium with mean platelet volume needs further investigations to clarify the clinical significance of this finding.