title: Mean Platelet Volume can Predict Cerebrovascular Events in Patients with Sickle Cell Anemia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of mean platelet volume (MPV) on the frequency and severity of vaso-occlusive and cerebrovascular events in patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA).
  
  
  METHODS
  The 238 cases diagnosed with SCA were evaluated retrospectively with respect to the occurrence of painful crisis for the previous year. The incidence, severity and type of the vaso-occlusive crises of the patients with SCA between March 2010 and March 2011 were recorded. The last MPV values in patients who were free of erythrocyte transfusion for the last three months and who had no current vaso-occlusive crises were evaluated. All the patients were grouped according to the frequency of the crises for the previous year preceding the data collection. Group 1: 1 to 3 crises, Group 2: 4 to 5 and Group 3: 6 or more crises annually.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In accordance with the results obtained during the evaluation of the cases diagnosed with sickle-cell anemia, MPV value was found to be significantly higher in patients with cerebrovascular events. Also MPV values increased with increasing incidence of the crises (r=0.297) (p=0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  One of the contributing factors for this clinical heterogeneity may be related to the MPV values in patients with sickle cell anemia. The higher MPV values may be an early predictor of future cerebrovascular events in patients with sickle cell anemia and may require close follow-up and additional measures.
authors: Tanju Celik, Department of Pediatrics, Mustafa Kemal University, School of Medicine, Hatay, Turkey.
authors: Tanju
authors: T
authors: Celik
authors: Sule Unal, Pediatric Hematology Clinic, Antakya State Hospital, Hatay, Turkey.
authors: Sule
authors: S
authors: Unal
authors: Ozalp Ekinci, Ozalp Ekinci Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic, Hatay, Turkey.
authors: Ozalp
authors: O
authors: Ekinci
authors: Cahit Ozer, Department of Family Medicine, Mustafa Kemal University, School of Medicine, Hatay, Turkey.
authors: Cahit
authors: C
authors: Ozer
authors: Gul Ilhan, Division of Internal Medicine Hematology Oncology, Antakya State Hospital, Hatay, Turkey.
authors: Gul
authors: G
authors: Ilhan
authors: Gonul Oktay, Department of Blood Disease Center, Antakya State Hospital, Hatay, Turkey.
authors: Gonul
authors: G
authors: Oktay
authors: Vefik Arica, Department of Pediatrics, Mustafa Kemal University, School of Medicine, Hatay, Turkey.
authors: Vefik
authors: V
authors: Arica
keywords: Platelets; Sickle cell anemia; Thrombosis