Abstract
PurposeRed cell distribution width (RDW), expressed in femtoliters (fl), is a measure of the variation in the size of circulating erythrocytes and is often expressed as a direct measurement of the width of the distribution. We aim to observe the mean value of red cell distribution width (RDW) in hypertensive patients. Increased RDW can be used as a tool for early diagnosis, as an inflammatory marker, and a mortality indicator in hypertensive patients due to its close relation to inflammation.Materials and methodologyHypertensive patients who had the condition for more than one year duration, diagnosed according to the Joint National Committee (JNC 7) criteria were subjected to complete blood count and RDW measurement. One hundred patients, aged between 12 years and 65 years were enrolled from the outpatient department of medicine at the Military Hospital Rawalpindi.ResultsThe mean age (± SD) of the patients was 51.48 ± 10.08 years. Out of 100 patients 69% were males whereas 31% were females. The overall frequency of hypertension more than five years was 55% subjects whereas 45% individuals had duration of hypertension less than five years. Mean RDW in females was found to be 49.35±8.42 fl while mean RDW in males was 44.78±7.11 fl. An independent sample t-test was applied to assess if there was any significant difference between age and gender. No significant difference between age and gender was found (p<0.05). The Mann-Whitney test was used to assess any association of RDW with gender. RDW values in females was found to be statistically significantly higher than in males (U=603, p=0.01). Linear regression showed that mean RDW value increased with increasing age (P <0.001).ConclusionsA significant number of patients with hypertension have increased levels of RDW. Therefore, it is recommended that serum RDW should be checked regularly in patients with hypertension.
Highlights
Red cell distribution width (RDW), a component of routine complete blood count (CBC) is a measure of the variation in the size of circulating erythrocytes
The Mann-Whitney test was used to assess any association of RDW with gender
RDW's association as a prognostic marker predicting a worse prognosis in several diseases such as coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, peripheral artery disease (PAD), heart failure (HF), venous thromboembolism (VTE) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is well documented [5,6,7,8,9,10,11]
Summary
Red cell distribution width (RDW), a component of routine complete blood count (CBC) is a measure of the variation in the size of circulating erythrocytes. It is routinely measured by automated hematology analyzers and is often expressed as a direct measurement of the width of the distribution, which gives a measure in femtoliters (fl) [1]. Increased RDW is seen in hemolytic anemia, transfusion reactions, beta thalassemia, and anemia of chronic disorders, hereditary spherocytosis, and sickle cell anemia [14]. It has been associated with chronic hepatobiliary disease, hypothyroidism, Behçet’s disease, systemic lupus erythematosus and inflammatory bowel disease. RDW is associated with increasing age, obesity, low cardio-respiratory fitness, smoking, being unmarried, and high alcohol consumption [15]
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