Evaluation of mean platelet volume (MPV) and Karnofsky Performance Scores of patients who exited in the palliative service in the last year and determination of the relationship between the results and mortality

Objective: There is insufficient data on the relationship between mean platelet volume (MPV) and Karnofsky Performance Scores (KPS) in patients with exitus in palliative care. Our study aims to understand this relationship and to provide better care and quality of life for patients and at the same time to better predict the prognosis of patients and to guide the treatment process of physicians. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out with the approval of Ordu University Clinical Research Ethics Committee dated 27.10.2023 and numbered 282 decision dated 27.10.2023 and retrospective examination of the files of the patients who died while receiving care at Ordu University Faculty of Medicine Palliative Service between 01.09.2022-01.09.2023. Results: Between the specified dates, 93 patients were observed to have exitus, 21 patients were not included in the study due to missing data. Data of 72 patients were used in our study. When the patient group was analysed, the mean age was 78.15 years (Min:44,Max:98) and the majority were female (56.9%, n:41). The most common reason for hospitalisation was oral intake disorder (OAB) with 73.6% (n:53). The most common associated chronic disease was hypertension (HT) with 58.3% (n:42). There was a statistically significant difference between the first MPV values measured at the time of hospitalisation and the last MPV values measured before exit according to the rate of increase. A statistically significant increase was found in patients with DM, HT, dementia, malignancy, CAD, and SVO (p:0.013, p:0.001, p:0.003, p:<0.001, p:0.036, p:0.039). This value increased statistically significantly in patients with OAB, GAD, and decubitus ulcer (p: <0.001, p: <0.001, p:0.005). Conclusion: MPV has the potential to be used as an indicator of clinical course and prognosis in palliative care patients, and we suggest that MPV may be associated with inflammation and platelet activation, especially in diseases with vascular risk factors. Key Words: Family Medicine, Karnofsky Performance Score, Mean Platelet Volume, Palliative Care