To assess the relationship of mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet large cell ratio (PLCR) with diabetic retinopathy

Abstract

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common microvascular complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and early detection of DR is crucial for preventing vision loss. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 130 T2DM patients attending the Ophthalmology outpatient department. Patients were classified into two groups: Group I (controls) consisting of T2DM patients without DR, and Group II (cases) consisting of T2DM patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) or proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Comprehensive dilated fundus examination, along with routine blood tests (including CBC), were performed to assess Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) and Platelet-Large Cell Ratio (P-LCR). Results: MPV was significantly higher in the DR group (12.27±2.04 fL) compared to the control group (9.32±0.77 fL) (p< 0.01). Both MPV and P-LCR increased progressively with the severity of DR, from mild NPDR to PDR, with p-values <0.01. The duration of diabetes was strongly correlated with DR severity (p< 0.001), and MPV and P-LCR both showed a clear rise with increasing disease duration. Additionally, patients on insulin therapy were more likely to have advanced DR (p = 0.078). Conclusions: MPV and P-LCR are significantly associated with both the presence and severity of diabetic retinopathy in T2DM. As these indices are readily available from routine CBC tests, they provide a cost-effective, non-invasive tool for early detection and risk stratification of DR, especially in resource-limited settings. Incorporating MPV and P-LCR into routine diabetes care can facilitate earlier identification of at-risk individuals, enabling timely referral and intervention to prevent vision loss.