title: Varicocele: tissue stress in the etiology.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It is accepted that red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a novel prognostic marker that reflects oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. In this study, we aimed to investigate the correlation between RDW and varicocele, the etiology of which has not fully elucidated yet. This study also aimed to study the mean platelet volume (MPV) values of the patient and control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  RDW and MPV levels were measured in 50 varicocele subjects (group 1) and 48 healthy controls (group 2) from January 2012 to January 2014, retrospectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MPV levels were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 (P < 0.001). Although the relationship was weak, the patients with varicocele had significantly lower RDW values than did the controls (r: 0.24 P = 0.026). Positive correlations were not found between varicocele grade and MPV and RDW values (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Higher MPV values are associated with increased odds of developing varicocele.
authors: Department of Radiology, Van Military Hospital, Van, Turkey.
authors: Ferhat
authors: F
authors: Cüce
authors: Department of Urology, Van Military Hospital, Van, Turkey.
authors: Özay
authors: Ö
authors: Demiray
authors: Department of Cardiology, Van Military Hospital, Van, Turkey.
authors: Uğur
authors: U
authors: Küçük
authors: Department of Cardiology, Van Education and Research Hospital, Van, Turkey.
authors: Hilal
authors: H
authors: Olgun Küçük
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D008297:Male; D063847:Mean Platelet Volume; D014646:Varicocele
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: BMI; MPV; RDW; infertility; varicocele