PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF PLATELET INDICES IN SEPSIS: A RETROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Background: Sepsis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in intensive care units (ICUs), early prognostication is critical for optimal management. Platelet indices such as platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), and platelet distribution width (PDW) are emerging as readily accessible biomarkers for risk stratification in sepsis. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 114 adult patients diagnosed with sepsis (SOFA score 2) and admitted to the ICU at a tertiary care hospital between March 2024 and May 2025. Patients with confounding conditions such as age <18 years, pregnancy, recent transfusion, malignancy, chronic liver/kidney disease,autoimmune disorders,or use of antiplatelet/anticoagulant agents were excluded. Platelet indices were recorded on days 1, 2, and 3 of ICU admission. Associations between platelet indices, clinical outcomes (mortality and intubation requirement), and duration of ICU stay were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests.

Conclusions: Early derangements in platelet indicesparticularly lower PLT, higher MPV, and higher PDW are strongly associated with mortality and respiratory failure in sepsis. Routine assessment of these indices upon ICU admission can serve as a valuable, cost-effective tool for early risk stratification and clinical decision-making in critically ill septic patients.