Platelet mass index as an indicator of platelet activation in manic episode

Background

Discovering the biological basis of bipolar disorder has been the focus of studies in recent years. Alterations in platelet parameters were found to be associated with episodes of bipolar disorder. This study aimed to compare the differences in platelet parameters especially the platelet mass index as an inflammation marker between the patients with bipolar mania and healthy controls.

Methods

68 male inpatients with manic episodes and 60 age-gender matched healthy controls were included in the study. Platelet mass index, mean platelet volume and platelet counts were compared between controls and manic patients.

Results

Platelet mass index of manic group was significantly higher than the controls (p = 0.002). Statistically significant difference was also observed between groups in terms of mean platelet volume (p = 0.012). For platelet counts; there was no statistically significant difference between manic and control groups (p = 0.171).

Limitation

The limitations of this study is that, platelet mass index was not measured in manic patients after manic episodes subsided. Other limitations are relatively small sample size, cross-sectional nature and lacking the data about other inflammation and cardiovascular marker, and lack of the longitudinal outcomes of multiple drugs and effects of lifestyle factors.

Conclusion

Platelet mass index reflects platelet functionality and is thought to be a useful parameter for plaque formation capacity of platelets. In our study, we have shown an increment in platelet activation in manic episode compared to healthy controls; which may reflect the inflammation process and cardiovascular status in bipolar disorder.