Abstract:

Aims: Mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are surrogate markers of adverse cardiovascular (CV) outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the platelet count, MPV level, PLR, NLR, and the effect of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) on these parameters in patients with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH). Methods: Young male patients with CHH and healthy controls were recruited from the outpatient setting. Blood pressures, height, weight, waist circumference (WC), and blood tests including triglyceride (TG) level, insulin, homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), PLR, and NLR were calculated between CHH patients and controls and following TRT. Results: Sixty-six patients with CHH (mean age: 21.5±2.0 years) and 67 healthy controls (mean age: 21.9±1.3 years) were included in the study. CHH patients had higher platelet count (262.9±50.7 vs 232.1±49.2, p=0.001), MPV level (8.63±0.87 vs 8.16±0.92, p=0.004), PLR (114.01±25.68 vs 100.59±25.49, p=0.003), WC (86.8±9.1 vs 83.7±7.9, p=0.04), TG (96.0 vs 80.0, p=0.02), insulin (9.41 vs 6.92, p<0.001), and HOMA-IR (1.95 vs 1.47, p<0.001) than healthy controls. NLR was similar in both groups. After TRT, CHH patients showed significant elevations in body mass index, WC, total testosterone, and HOMA-IR and reduction in high density lipoprotein cholesterol level; however, platelet count, MPV, PLR, and NLR indices remained unchanged. Total testosterone level was also correlated with platelet count, MPV, and PLR. Conclusions: This study showed higher platelet count and surrogate markers of CV risk such as MPV and PLR in patients with CHH. However, short time TRT did not show any effect on these indices.

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