Objective: To evaluate the relationship between mean platelet volume (MPV) and intensive care scoring systems and acute phase reactants (leukocyte count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C- reactive protein (CRP) in intensive care patients with sepsis and septic shock, diagnosed to show growth in body fluids cultures.

Materials and Methods: Patients with sepsis and septic shock admitted to the internal medicine intensive care unit were included in the study. Patients with malignancy, rheumatic disease history and younger than 18 years of age were excluded from the study. Patients were divided into two groups, where patients with sepsis were assigned as group 1 and septic shock as group 2. Relationship between mean palatelet volume at admission and scoring systems was analyzed.

Results: A total of 464 patients were included in the study. The MPV was 10.90(7.7/14.3) fL in the sepsis group and 11.20(7.90/18.40) fL in the septic shock group. Intensive care scoring system scores were higher in group 2 than in group 1 and this difference was statistically significant . No significant correlation was found between MPV, leukocyte count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and CRP.

Conclusion: As MPV increases, intensive care scoring scores increase in intensive care unit scoring systems. MPV provides information about the presence and severity of inflammation at admission.