Can red cell distribution width and mean platelet volume serve as a marker for chronic prostatitis?

Chronic prostatitis is a widespread urological disease, however, underlying pathophysiology is poorly understood and it is usually characterized with recurrences. Platelets take in charge in hemostasis, tissue repairment and inflammation. Mean platelet volume (MPV), is considered as a marker of platelet activation. Red cell distribution width (RDW) refers the size variations of erythrocytes. Recent studies pointed that similar to MPV and RDW were also associated with inflammatory conditions. The aim of present study is to find out the possible association between MPV and RDW with chronic prostatitis. We retrospectively analysed the laboratory data of patients with chronic prostatitis between 2009 and 2012. A total of 338 patients with chronic prostatitis and 110 healthy controls enrolled to the study. Laboratory data of chronic prostatitis patients and healthy controls obtained from the computerized databases of the hospitals and platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV) values, red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrite (Htc) and red cell distribution width (RDW) of the participants recorded. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of mean age, Htc, Hb, RBC and PLT count. However, patients with chronic prostatitis had significantly increased MPV (P=0.000) and RDW (P=0.000) compared to controls. Increased MPV and RDW should help the diagnosis of chronic prostatitis but, more studies with larger study population are needed to confirm our results.