Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic with a high rate of hospitalization, admission to intensive care units, and mortality. Identifying patients at the highest risk for severe disease is important to facilitate early, aggressive intervention. High red blood cell distribution width (RDW) values are associated with increased mortality in the general population in patients suffering from several conditions, including cardiovascular disease, sepsis, acute kidney injury, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and hepatitis B. Our study aimed to determine whether RDW levels in all COVID-19 confirmed cases admitted to the Patras University Hospital, Greece, was an independent prognostic factor of hospitalization and disease outcome.
Highlights
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute respiratory illness which spread worldwide and is a pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has led to numerous cases and deaths worldwide
A study has shown that red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is associated with multiple inflammatory reactions and can predict the severity and prognosis of many diseases [8]
Summary
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute respiratory illness which spread worldwide and is a pandemic. This novel infection caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) presents with heterogenous clinical symptoms, with fever, dry cough, fatigue and dyspnoea being the most common, but can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome, and death [1]. Coronavirus disease 2019 has a high rate of hospitalization, admission in intensive care units, and mortality. Red cell distribution width (RDW) is analyzed routinely in a complete blood count It shows the heterogeneity in the red blood cell size and has a significant role in the differential diagnosis of anemia [4]. Our study aimed to determine whether RDW levels upon admission of COVID-19 confirmed cases was an independent prognostic factor of hospitalization and disease outcome
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