Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41225524›Full record

SynthesisSystematic reviews2025

Platelet parameters as potential biomarkers for sepsis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Xiang Tong, Sai Yang, Jibo Sun, Qingqing Jia, Hong Fan, Zhenzhen Li

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Systematic reviews, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Xiang Tong *Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
Sai Yang *Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
Jibo SunDepartment of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
Qingqing JiaDepartment of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
Hong FanDepartment of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China. fanhong@scu.edu.cn.
Zhenzhen LiHealth Management Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China. lizhenzhen1017@sina.com.

Funding

1.3.5 project for disciplines of excellence Clinical Research Incubation Project, West China Hospital, Sichuan University 2019HXFH008Sichuan Science and Technology Program 2024YFFK0141
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSepsis remains a major global health issue, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) with limited diagnostic resources. This meta-analysis evaluates platelet index ratios (mean platelet volume-to-platelet count, MPV/PLT; platelet distribution width-to-platelet count, PDW/PLT; and platelet distribution width-to-plateletcrit, PDW/PCT) as cost-effective biomarkers for sepsis diagnosis and prognosis in resource-constrained settings.

methodsA systematic search was conducted for studies evaluating platelet parameter ratios in sepsis. Inclusion criteria comprised the following: (1) cohort/case-control designs; (2) non-duplicated datasets; (3) available quantitative data for meta-analysis. Exclusion criteria included reviews, abstracts, letters to the editor, and studies with incomplete data. Synthesis methods employed random-effects models to calculate standardized mean differences (SMD) and diagnostic metrics (sensitivity, specificity, etc.), with heterogeneity assessed via I-squared statistics. Publication bias was evaluated through funnel plots and Egger's test.

resultsFourteen studies were included. The results revealed that MPV/PLT ratios were significantly higher in neonatal (SMD = 1.48, P = 0.004) and adult sepsis patients (SMD = 0.35, P < 0.001) than in controls. Survivors had significantly lower MPV/PLT ratios than non-survivors in both children/neonate (SMD = 0.67, P < 0.01) and adult group (SMD = 0.41, P < 0.01), with similar trends observed in longitudinal assessments. PDW/PLT was also lower in pediatric survivors (P = 0.009), while no significant differences were found for MPV/PCT in neonates or PDW/PLT in adults. For diagnosing sepsis, MPV/PLT had a sensitivity of 0.55 and specificity of 0.71 in adults, and 0.58 and 0.87 in neonates. For predicting mortality, neonatal sepsis showed higher sensitivity (89%) and specificity (73%) than adult sepsis (63%, 58%). In LMICs, MPV/PLT was elevated at admission in both age groups but was linked to survival only in neonates.

conclusionThe MPV/PLT ratio shows promise as a cost-effective biomarker for sepsis diagnosis and prognosis, particularly in neonatal patients, with important potential applications in LMICs. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: This study has been registered on the international platform of registered systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (INPLASY) (Registration Number: INPLASY202540096). https://doi.org/10.37766/inplasy2025.4.0096 .

Indexed as

Blood PlateletsMean Platelet VolumeSepsisBiomarkersHumansPlatelet CountPrognosisBiomarkersBiomarkerMeta-analysisMortalityPlatelet parametersSepsis

Identifiers

PMID41225524
PMCPMC12613528

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.