title: A relative thrombocytosis and elevated mean platelet volume are features of gravitational disease.
abstract: Platelet counts were obtained in 60 patients with gravitational ulceration (GU), 60 with gravitational eczema (GE), 56 with endogenous eczema (EE) and 60 normal controls. Mean platelet volume (MPV), a broad index of platelet size, was estimated in the last 40 patients in each group (29 with EE). Causes of a reactive thrombocytosis were excluded. Platelet counts were significantly higher in both gravitational groups than in the EE group or the normal controls (P = 0.001). Ulcer healing produced no significant changes in platelet count, and patients with non-gravitational ulcers had normal platelet counts. MPV was significantly higher in both gravitational groups than in controls after correction for platelet count, by analysis of co-variance (P = 0.01). These differences in platelet parameters in gravitational disease suggest a possible role for platelets in this disease, and platelet inhibiting therapy may be of value at an early stage in the development of the condition.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000473:pathology*; D004485:Eczema / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006112:Gravitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D013922:Thrombocytosis / Q000150:complications*; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*