Objective: The aim of this study is to compare red blood cell distribution width (RDW) , mean platelet volume (MPV) and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in dipper and non-dipper hypertensive patients.

Material and Method: A total of one hundred and sixteen patients were included in our study. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) were performed for each patient. There after patients were divided into two groups: 54 dipper hypertensives (mean age; 54.7 ± 13.6) and 62 non-dipper hypertensives (mean age; 59.7±12.6). Complete blood count and biochemistry were performed in all subjects.

Results: Daytime systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) measurements were similar between dippers and non-dippers, but night-time measurements were significantly different (night-time systolic BP: 127.7±12.7 vs 116±11.4 mmHg, p<0.0001; night-time diastolic BP: 78.6±9.0 vs 72.4±8.5 mmHg, p<0.0001). Non-dippers had significantly higher RDW levels than dippers (14.5±1.3 vs 13.8±1.2 p =0.005). Non-dipper patients demonstrated higher levels of MPV and NLR compared with dippers (9.5±1.1 vs 8.9±1.0 fL p=0.05 and 2.7±1.1 vs 2.1±0.7 p<0.001). There was significant negative correlation between percentage decline of systolic and diastolic BP from day to night and RDW (r = - 0.2 p <0.025 and r = - 0.3 p <0.003 respectively) , MPV night (r=-0.2 p<0.025 and r=-0.2 and p<0.03 respectively) and NLR ( r=-0.21, p<0.02 and r=-0.2and p<0.04 respectively).

Conclusion: Our results suggest that RDW, MPV and NLR levels, which are indicators of platelet activation and inflammatory response are significantly higher in non-dippler hypertensive patients compared to dipper hyperensives.