Mean Platelet Volume, Red Cell Distribution Width, and Complete Blood Cell Count Indices in Retinal Vein Occlusions

Purpose: To evaluate the role of some complete blood cell count (CBC)-derived measures in retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

Methods: This was a retrospective case-control study, including 127 newly diagnosed RVO patients and 127 sex- and age-matched subjects without RVO. A blood sample was obtained and a complete blood cell count was performed. Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), derived NLR [dNLR = neutrophils/(white blood cells‒neutrophils)], and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were calculated. We also performed a meta-analysis of the available data, ours included, on the correlation between mean platelet volume (MPV) and RVO. Standardized mean differences (SMD) were used to build forest plots and assess differences in MPV values between RVO patients and controls.

Results: Median MPV and red cell distribution width (RDW) were 8.7 fL (IQR = 7.8-9.5) and 13.2% (IQR = 12.4-14.2) in RVO patients and 7.8 fL (IQR = 7.1-8.5) and 13% (IQR = 12-14) in controls. RVO patients had significantly higher values of MPV (P < .0001) and RDW (P = .005). There were no significant differences between the values of white blood cells, lymphocytes, neutrophils, platelets, NLR, dNLR, and PLR. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed a statistically significant correlation between increased MPV and RVO (OR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.38-2.2, P < .0001). 519 RVO patients and 414 controls from 6 case-control studies were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled results disclosed that MPV values were significantly higher in RVO patients (SMD = 0.41 fL, 95% CI = 0.04-0.79, P = .032), but extreme heterogeneity was observed (I² = 86.1%, P < .001).

Conclusion: Results suggest lack of association between CBC-derived inflammatory indices and RVO. Conversely, MPV and, to a lesser extent, RDW may be disease biomarkers in RVO.