Red Cell Distribution Width and Subclinical Left Ventricular Dysfunction in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between left ventricular function and red cell distribution width (RDW) measured by myocardial performance index in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). Patients and Methods: The study included 35 patients with AS and 38 controls. Control group was consisted of age and gender matched individuals without any cardiologic complaint and systemic disease. Laboratory parameters including RDW tests and transthoracic echocardiographic evaluation were conducted consecutively on the entire cohort of ankylosing spondylitis patients and healthy individuals. Results: In our study, no statistically significant difference was found between two groups, in terms of general properties such as age, gender, Body Mass Index (BMI), body surface area, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, smoking, serum lipid levels and blood glucose levels. ESR and CRP levels of AS group were found to be significantly higher compared to that of control group. EF and FS, which are among the parameters of systolic function, were normal in all individuals of both groups and there was no significant difference between two groups. However, myocardial performance index (MPI ) was higher in patients with AS than in controls. In addition, we showed a significant positive correlation between RDW and MPI (r: 0.372 , p: 0.001). Conclusion: Myocardial performance index may be useful for the early diagnosis of potential heart failure, by providing an earlier diagnosis of left ventricular dysfunction in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Also , red cell distribution width was significantly correlated with myocardial performance index in these patients.