Association between Mean Platelet Volume and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Meta-Analysis

This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the association between mean platelet volume (MPV) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease activity, and laboratory parameters including the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), C3 levels, anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibodies, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).

The Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched comprehensively to identify relevant articles. Meta-Analyses were performed to assess differences in MPV between patients with SLE and control groups and between active and inactive SLE. A separate meta-analysis explored correlation coefficients between MPV and SLEDAI, C3, anti-dsDNA, and ESR.

Fourteen studies comprising 659 patients with SLE and 682 controls were included. No significant difference in MPV was found between patients with SLE and control groups (standardized mean difference [SMD]: 0.406; 95% confidence interval [CI]: –0.087 to 0.899; P = 0.107). When stratified by ethnicity, the Arab population displayed markedly elevated MPV levels within the SLE group (SMD: 1.032; 95% CI: 0.475–1.588; P <0.001), unlike their European and Asian counterparts. MPV levels were higher in the active disease group than in the inactive group, particularly among the Arab population (SMD: 2.100; 95% CI: 0.406–3.794; P = 0.015), while no significant difference was observed within the Asian population (SMD: –1.493; 95% CI = –4.465 to 1.479; P = 0.325). MPV did not correlate with SLEDAI (correlation coefficient: 0.252; 95% CI: –0.016 to 0.486; P = 0.065), ESR, C3, or anti-dsDNA.

MPV levels were generally higher in patients with SLE among the Arab population. Moreover, MPV and disease activity were positively correlated within the Arab population, underscoring the potential of MPV as a disease activity indicator in specific ethnic groups.