Platelet parameters in women with iron deficiency anemia

Abstract

Background: In iron deficiency anemia (IDA), several changes in platelets have been reported. Therefore, a relationship between iron metabolism and thrombopoiesis should be considered. The aim of this study was to evaluate the platelet parameters in women with IDA.

Materials and methods: Eighty-six women of mean age 37 +/- 13 (16-70) years with IDA were enrolled this study. The relationship between serum iron parameters (such as iron, iron-binding capacity, iron saturation and ferritin) and platelet parameters (such as platelet counts, platelet crit, mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width) were evaluated by using Pearson correlation and stepwise logistic regression tests.

Results: Thrombocytosis and thrombocytopenia were noted in 24 (27.9%) and two (2.3%) patients, respectively. Platelet counts were increased when serum iron, iron saturation, ferritin and mean platelet volume were decreased in this study. There was a linear relationship between platelet counts and platelet crit (p<0.001) but inverse relationships between platelet counts and both mean platelet volume and iron saturation (p<0.001, for both). Also there were a linear relationship between platelet distribution width and mean platelet volume (p<0.001) and an inverse correlation between platelet distribution width and mean corpuscular volume (p<0.001). We did not find any correlation between platelet crit and studied iron parameters (p>0.05).

Conclusions: In IDA, the most important factor affecting platelet counts was iron saturation. These changes in the platelet parameters may be related to low levels of tissue iron. This study suggested that decreased iron saturation might stimulate megakaryopoiesis. Moreover, iron may have an inhibitor effect on platelet counts.