title: The association between platelet count and acute phase response in chronic spontaneous urticaria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The platelet parameters and C-reactive protein (CRP) are markers reflecting a systemic inflammatory response. Among those, CRP is one of the major proteins helpful in determination of severity/activity of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine relationships between platelet activation indices and serum concentration of CRP, the best marker of acute phase response, and their potential clinical use in CSU patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and platelet count as well as serum CRP concentration were measured in CSU patients, showing different degrees of urticarial severity, and in the healthy subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences were found in MPV and PDW between CSU group and the healthy subjects. The platelet count was significantly higher in moderate-severe CSU than that of the controls and mild CSU patients. Serum CRP concentrations were significantly higher in CSU patients as compared with the healthy subjects and significantly correlated with the platelet count in CSU patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acute phase response in CSU is associated with the increased number of circulating platelets in patients with more severe symptoms. It seems that simple determination of platelet size indices is not a reliable indicator of CSU severity/activity.
authors.affiliation: Chair and Clinical Department of Internal Diseases, Dermatology and Allergology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Ulica M. Curie-Skłodowskiej 10, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland.
authors.forename: Alicja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kasperska-Zając
authors.affiliation: Chair and Clinical Department of Internal Diseases, Dermatology and Allergology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Ulica M. Curie-Skłodowskiej 10, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland.
authors.forename: Alicja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grzanka
authors.affiliation: Chair and Clinical Department of Internal Diseases, Dermatology and Allergology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Ulica M. Curie-Skłodowskiej 10, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland.
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jarzab
authors.affiliation: Chair and Clinical Department of Otolaryngology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Ulica M. Curie-Skłodowskiej 10, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland.
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Misiołek
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Plaça Akademicki 17, 41-902 Bytom, Poland.
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wyszyńska-Chłap
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Plaça Akademicki 17, 41-902 Bytom, Poland.
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kasperski
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Silesia, Ulica 3-go Maja 13-15, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland.
authors.forename: Edyta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Machura
mesh_terms: D000210:Acute-Phase Reaction / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D014581:Urticaria / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein