Sex-specific differences in genetic and nongenetic determinants of mean platelet volume: results from the Gutenberg Health Study

Mean platelet volume (MPV), a measure of platelet size, is a potential biological marker of platelet function. To date, a comprehensive analysis including known genetic and nongenetic factors that determine MPV is still lacking. MPV has been evaluated in 15 010 individuals from the population-based Gutenberg Health Study. Genetic information was available for 4175 individuals. Our results showed that age (beta, 0.0346; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.0255 to 0.0436), cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) such as smoking (beta, 0.178; 95% CI, 0.128 to 0.229), hypertension (beta, 0.05; 95% CI, 0.00289 to.0981), and high glucose level (beta, 0.00179; 95% CI, 0.0006 to 0.00299) were linked with higher MPV in males only. Intake of oral contraceptives (beta, 0.150; 95% CI, 0.0649 to 0.236) and menstruation (beta, 0.123; 95% CI, 0.0231 to 0.224) were strongly associated with higher MPV in females. Seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for females and 4 SNPs for males were associated with higher MPV. The full model, including age, CVRFs, laboratory parameters, medications, and genetic variation, explained 20.4% of the MPV variance in females and 18.6% in males. The curves of cumulative mortality, stratified for sex, showed worse survival for males only with MPV >9.96 fL vs MP