Comparison of platelet markers with C-reactive protein levels and disease severity at patients with acute and chronic urticaria

Aim: We aimed to measure platelet markers at complete blood count at patients with acute and chronic urticaria and to compare them with disease activity and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in order to search the role of platelets at pathogenesis of urticaria. Material and Method: Total of 34 patients with acute urticaria, 27 patients with chronic urticaria and 30 healthy volunteers whose ages were between 18 and 76 years were enrolled to the study. At the time of application, urticaria activity scores (UAS) were calculated during active period of the disease and blood samples were collected. Autologous serum skin test (ASST) was applied to patients with chronic urticaria. Findings: There was no significant difference between groups in terms of factors. Among platelet markers, there was no statistically significant difference in terms of MPV and PDW values between acute and chronic urticaria groups but these values were statistically significantly higher in control group (p<0.001). Similarly, there was no statistically significant difference in terms of CRP values between acute and chronic urticaria groups where was they were statistically significantly low at control group (p=0.008). At chronic urticaria group, there were no statistically significant differences in terms of UAS, CRP and platelet markers between ASST(+) and ASST(-) patients. Conclusion: More studies with larger patient groups are required in order to comprehend the role and significance of platelets at pathogenesis of urticaria. Keywords: urticaria, platelets, C-reactive protein