PDW: An Unexplored Marker of Diabetes Related Angiopathies

Abstract

Objectives: The aim is to determine and compare Platelet distribution width (PDW) with glycaemic levels and duration of diabetes and to assess utility of PDW in early identification of vascular complications especially in developing countries like India. Methods: A two year prospective analytical case control study with total 930 individuals segregated into three groups on basis of HbA1c:- (a) Subjects with Diabetes (b) Subjects with Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) (c) Subjects without Diabetes. Further, diabetic group was divided into two groups on the basis of known diabetes related vascular complications. Samples for HbA1c and PDW were obtained and processed on SYSMEX-X-800i autoanalyser. Results: The study revealed significant positive correlation between PDW with glycaemic levels and duration of diabetes across the groups (PDW-HbA1c r = 0.875). PDW of diabetics, IFG and non diabetics was 19.17 1.48, 15.49 0.67 and 10.59 0.67 respectively with a significant p value 0.00. PDW was higher in diabetic group with complications (20.09 0.98 fl) as compared to the diabetic group without complications (17.5 1 0.39 fl) with a significant p value (0.000).Conclusion:The current study demonstrates raised PDW in association with rising glycaemic levels and in those with diabetes related vascular complications. PDW should be researched and explored further as surrogate marker to develop a clinical tool for early recognition of diabetic vascular changes.