ACTA ENDOCRINOLOGICA (BUC)

Aim. There is no data for platelet distribution width (PDW) levels as a marker of platelet activation in patients with\r\nmetabolic syndrome (MetS). The present study tested the hypothesis that PDW levels may be elevated in MetS patients. Based on this hypothesis, PDW levels in patients with MetS were compared with those of patients without MetS. The relation between PDW levels and cardiometabolic risk factors was also evaluated.\r\nMaterials and Methods. Two hundred and nineteen non-diabetic MetS patients (MetS group; 155 females, 64 males) and 155 non-diabetic patients without MetS (Control group; 123 females, 32 males) were included consecutively. The primary endpoint of the study was to compare the PDW levels between the groups, while the secondary endpoint was to evaluate the relationship between PDW and cardiometabolic risk factors.\r\nResults. PDW levels were 16.75?1.73%, and 16.89?1.92% in MetS patients and control subjects, respectively (p>0.05). In correlation analysis, insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (r:0.193, p:0.004, and r:0.215, p:0.001, respectively) were associated with the PDW.\r\nConclusion. Although there is a weak positive correlation between PDW and insulin and HOMA-IR, these findings do\r\nnot support our hypothesis that PDW levels may be elevated in MetS patients.