Reticulated platelet levels in patients with ulcerative colitis

Background In this study, we investigated whether reticulated platelets (RP) would be useful markers in the evaluation of ulcerative colitis (UC) activity and also aimed to gain indirect information about the platelet kinetics. Materials and Methods Complete blood count, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and proportion of RP were measured in 16 active, 21 inactive UC patients, and 20 healthy blood donors. UC activity was assessed by Truelove-Witts criteria. Results Mean platelet count was increased in patients with active compared to inactive UC (p=0.008) or healthy donors (p=0.000). Mean platelet volume (MPV) was significantly decreased in patients with active compared to inactive (p=0.015) and healthy donors (p=0.001). RP values was significantly decreased in active and inactive UC groups compared to healthy donors (p=0.000, p=0.000, respectively), while there was no significant difference between active and inactive UC patients (p=0.980). Significant negative correlation between platelet count and MPV in patients with active UC (r=-0.542, p=0.030) was observed. Conclusions RP values is reduced in active and inactive UC patients compared to healthy donors. To our knowledge, this is the first study about proportion of RP with UC in literature. However, the role of low RP values have not been determined clinically. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of platelet abnormalities and changes in megakaryopoiesis caused by inflammatory state on low MPV and RP values during the course of UC.