[Platelet indices in chronic alcoholic liver disease patients with thrombocytopenia].
OBJECTIVE
To detect alterations in platelet indices in patients with chronic alcoholic liver disease and thrombocytopenia, and its correlation with other haematological parameters.


METHODS
We studied 65 individuals separated in two groups: controls (n = 35) and chronic alcoholic liver disease patients with thrombocytopenia (n = 30). The control group was age and gender matched with patients group. In all, controls and patients, a haematological evaluation was done, including platelets indices.


RESULTS
In the patients group we found a low number of erythrocytes, leucocytes and platelet when we compare with controls. The same is true when we compare haemoglobin, hematocrit and absolute count of lymphocyte and neutrophil. The mean globular volume, mean globular haemoglobin and red cell distribution width where significantly higher in patients group. Platelet indices showed a statistical significant increased in platelet distribution width and decreased in platelet crit in the patient group. No differences where found on mean platelet volume between the two groups. Correlation between platelet number and other haematological parameters was found.


CONCLUSIONS
Chronic alcoholic liver disease patients showed a decrease in all haematopoietic cell lines, probably associated with hypersplenism found in those patients. Additionally to the numeric alterations the erythrocyte and platelets showed morphologic alteration revelled by respective indices.
Departamento de Tecnologias de Diagnóstico e Terapêutica, Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Portugal. elisio.costa@ipb.pt
Ana Cláudia
AC
Costa
Barbara
B
Ribeiro
Elísio
E
Costa
D000328:Adult; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008108:Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology
D006454:Hemoglobins