Mean Platelet Volume Is Elevated in Patients with Psoriasis Vulgaris

PURPOSE: This retrospective study was done to investigate the mean platelet volume (MPV) level in patients with psoriasis vulgaris and its relationship with disease severity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We undertook a cross-sectional study on 176 patients and 101 healthy controls to examine the association between MPV and psoriasis. Various clinical and laboratory parameters were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: Platelet distribution width and MPV were significantly higher in patients with psoriasis than controls. In addition, there was positive correlation between Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) and MPV. When psoriasis patients were grouped into mild psoriasis (PASI<10) and moderate to severe psoriasis (PASI≥10), the MPV of the latter group was significantly elevated. Nevertheless, patients with higher MPV level (MPV≥10.4 fL) did not show higher PASI than lower MPV level (MPV<10.4 fL). MPV levels significantly decreased after improvements of psoriasis with various treatments. The variations of MPV and PASI also showed significant correlation. CONCLUSION: We have shown that MPV is increased in psoriasis patients and correlates with disease severity. Therefore, MPV levels may be considered as a marker of disease severity of psoriasis.