Decreased mean platelet volume in panic disorder

Abstract

AimThe relationship between psychological stress and platelet activation has been widely studied. It is well known that platelets may reflect certain biochemical changes that occur in the brain when different mental conditions occur. Platelet 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is also extensively studied in psychiatry. The mean platelet volume (MPV), the accurate measure of platelet size, has been considered a marker and determinant of platelet function. The aim of the present study was to search for any probable difference in the MPV of subjects with panic disorder (PD).MethodsA total of 37 drug-free subjects, aged 18 to 65 years, diagnosed with PD, with or without agoraphobia, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth edition (DSM-IV) criteria and 45 healthy control subjects were included in the study. Platelet count and MPV were measured and recorded for each subject.ResultsThere were no statistically significant differences between groups in terms of female/male ratio, age, or body mass index between the PD group and control group (P=0.91, P=0.82, and P=0.93, respectively). The MPV was found to be significantly lower in the PD group compared with the control group (8.8±0.9 fL vs 9.2±0.8 fL; P=0.02). All the participants had MPV values in the standard range of 6.9–10.8 fL.ConclusionWe concluded that abnormalities of the 5-HT1A receptor function in the central nervous system of subjects with a diagnosis of PD are also mirrored in as an alteration in platelet activity. Measurements of platelet activity may be used as a tool for neuropsychiatric and psychopharmacological research and for studying how certain mental diseases and medications affect the central nervous system.

Increased mean platelet volume in patients with panic disorder

“…In the literature, this is the second study to evaluate MPV levels in PD patients. Gul et al 17 investigated the correlation of levels of MPV in 37 PD patients; contrary to our findings, they found lower MPV levels in PD patients compared to the control group. They speculated that abnormal 5-HT metabolism, such as specific alterations of the 5-HT receptor functional state in platelets of PD patients, could lead to decreased MPV.…”

“…They speculated that abnormal 5-HT metabolism, such as specific alterations of the 5-HT receptor functional state in platelets of PD patients, could lead to decreased MPV. 17 But they could not explain the exact mechanism of or reason for the decreased MPV in PD patients. Moreover, their sample size was small (n=37), so it cannot be generalized to all PD patients.…”

“…Although a close relationship between ischemic heart disease and anxiety disorders has been proposed, only one study has reported a relationship between MPV and PD in the literature. 17 In the present study, it was hypothesized that patients with PD have higher MPV levels compared to healthy subjects. The aim of this nonrandomized case–control study was to investigate a possible relationship between MPV levels and PD.…”

Mean Platelet Volume and Platelet Distribution Width Level in Patients with Panic Disorder

“…[15] Disordered platelets and decreased platelet activity share a pathophysiology for some mental disorders, and PD may be one of them. Modification in serotonin levels and its activity and abnormalities in 5-HT1A receptor functioning in PD has been reported by many researchers.…”

“…[1518] On the basis of the considerations (i.e. power of study, 95%; alpha risk, 5%; and equal number of cases and controls), a sample size of >118 in each group was considered adequate for the present study.…”