The role of thrombopoietin and spleen volume in thrombocytopenia of patients with noncirrhotic and cirrhotic portal hypertension

Background/aims: To determine the role of thrombopoietin and spleen volume in thrombocytopenia diagnosed in cirrhotic and noncirrhotic portal hypertensive patients. Methods: Seventy-four portal hypertensive patients (group 1: 28 noncirrhotic; group 2: 46 cirrhotic) were enrolled into this study. Spleen volume was measured by magnetic resonance imaging. Thrombopoietin and hyaluronic acid. were detected by ELISA in sera. Results: Splenic volume was significantly higher in group 1 (1375 +/- 658.74 ml) than group 2 (981.78 +/- 512.39 ml). In group 1, thrombopoietin and hyaluronic acid levels were 76.6 +/- 30.39 pg/ml and 78.17 +/- 66.67 ng/ml, respectively. These values were significantly higher in group 2, at 99.89 +/- 38.5 pg/ml and 271.97 +/- 197.34 ng/ml, respectively (p<0.05). Platelet counts and thrombopoietin levels had a negative correlation with spleen volume in both groups (p