Sarcopenia, obesity and sarcopenic obesity are associated with many negative health outcomes, such as high fall risk and low health-related quality of life in geriatric population.

The predictors for the development of cardiovascular diseases and peripheral arterial diseases in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) were not clearly established, and there is no specific study conducted to investigate the mean platelet volume (MPV) levels in SSc patients. Therefore, this study evaluates the MPV levels in SSc and possible relationship between SSc, its clinical features and activity/severity scores, and MPV. In total, 76 SSc patients (67 women and 9 men, mean age 50.44 ± 13.21 years) diagnosed according to the classification criteria of the American College of Rheumatology and 45 healthy volunteers were enrolled into study. Data relating to anamnesis, physical examination, MPV, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein levels, electrocardiography, echocardiography, high-resolution computerized tomography findings, complaints, and treatment processes were recorded into the database. Of the total cases, 17 had (22.3 %) cardiac involvement, 45 had gastrointestinal involvement (59.2 %), 47 had (61.8 %) lung involvement, 31 (32 %) had finger flexion deformity, and 27 (35.5 %) had digital ulcers at the fingertips. The mean MPV levels of SSc patients were significantly higher than those of the control group (p = 0.008). The mean MPV levels of SSc patients with cardiac involvement, digital ulcers, and gangrene presence were significantly high, and lower in Ilomedin-receiving patients than in the Ilomedin naives (p < 0.05). A negative relationship was discovered between the mean MPV levels, Valentini score, and Disease Severity Index of the patients with systemic sclerosis (p = 0.006, r = -0.310; p = 0.047, r = -0.229). MPV levels were significantly elevated in SSc patients and they were negatively correlated with disease activity scores. Increased MPV levels would be a predictive marker in the diagnosis of macrovascular and microvascular disease involvement in SSc patients.

Leptin, resistin and TNF-α levels were found to be higher in SSc in contrast to the control group. These adipokines may have differentiating roles in the pathogenesis of SSc. In order to verify these findings, further clinical studies are needed with larger patient groups.

The results of the present study suggest that the NLR may be considered a useful marker of disease activity in RA and one that can aid the diagnosis of ERA. The PLR can be used in the assessment of disease activity in RA patients undergoing anti-TNF therapy but is not suitable for diagnosing ERA.

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