Relation of mean platelet volume and red blood cell distribution width with epistaxis

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Mean platelet volume is the measurement of the average size of platelets in the blood, and red blood cell distribution width is the variability of the size of red blood cells in circulation. This study aimed to investigate if there was any relationship between mean platelet volume, red blood cell distribution, and epistaxis. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective controlled trial. METHODS: The study included 90 patients admitted to Ankara Atatürk Hospital and Samsun Medicana Hospital with complaints of recurrent epistaxis, and a control group of 90 healthy subjects. Blood samples were taken from all patients and control group subjects. Mean platelet volume and red blood cell distribution parameters were examined and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The mean platelet volume levels were determined as 8.86 ± 0.1 in the control group and 8.36 ± 0.1 in the patient group. The difference between the two groups with respect to mean platelet volume was statistically significant (P < .05). The mean red blood cell distribution levels were determined as 12.68 ± 0.32 in the control group and 11.90 ± 0.16 in the patient group. The difference between the two groups with respect to red blood cell distribution was also statistically significant (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed a clinical finding of lower mean platelet volume and red blood cell distribution levels in epistaxis. These findings could be beneficial in new investigations into epistaxis mechanisms.