Use of Platelets and Their Properties in Predicting Activity and Fibrosis in HBV Infection

Abstract

Aim: Although liver biopsy is the gold standard for showing histological activity and fibrosis today, there are some non-invasive methods using biochemical calculations as an alternative since it is an invasive procedure. In our study, we aimed to examine the relationship between platelets and some related parameters and histopathology in patients who underwent liver biopsy due to chronic hepatitis B (HBV). Material and Method: 70 patients diagnosed with chronic HBV and followed up between 2009 and 2013 were included. Demographic data, liver histopathological results and laboratory parameters of all patients were documented. The relationship between histopathology and platelets and some related laboratory parameters was examined. Results: A total of 70 patients, 40 (28%) of whom were women, were included in the study. A statistically significant relationship was detected between HAI and AST (p=0.001), ALT (p=0.001), Sedimentation (p=0.026, r=0.5) and AAR, APRI, FIB4 (p<0.05).A statistically significant relationship was found between fibrosis and INR (p=0.02, r=0.2), between PDW/PLT, and between PLT/PDW (p<0.05).Additionally, the relationship between fibrosis and APRI, FIB4 and RPR was statistically found significant. (p<0.05).No correlation was found between HAI and Platelet, RDW, PDW (p>0.05). Conclusions: Platelet and related parameters RDW and RPR have been shown to be associated with the degree of fibrosis. It is thought that RPR, which is an inexpensive and easily calculable index, can predict significant fibrosis and cirrhosis with relatively high accuracy in chronic hepatitis patients, potentially reducing unnecessary liver biopsies.