Mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: the role of comorbidities.

We evaluated mean platelet volume (MPV; an indicator of vascular risk) and platelet distribution width in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; n = 85). We also included a control group of 34 smokers without airflow limitation. Mean platelet volume was significantly higher in patients with COPD (10.69 ± 1.0 vs 9.96 ± 1.10 fL, P < .001) than in the smoker controls. White blood cell (WBC) count was also significantly higher in patients with COPD than in the smoker controls (10,642 ± 1247 vs 7136 ± 1887/μL, P < .001). There was a correlation between MPV and WBC in patients with COPD, especially in those at stage III (r = .530, P = .004) and IV (r = .389, P = .023). Mean platelet volume did not correlate with any indices of COPD severity. In patients with COPD, MPV and WBC levels are higher than those of smokers with normal pulmonary function and are significantly correlated. Whether these effects relate to vascular risk in patients with COPD remain to be established.