Increased red cell distribution width in Fanconi anemia: a novel marker of stress erythropoiesis

New Insights into the Fanconi Anemia Pathogenesis: A Crosstalk Between Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

Fanconi anemia (FA) represents a rare hereditary disease; it develops due to germline pathogenic variants in any of the 22 currently discovered FANC genes, which interact with the Fanconi anemia/breast cancer-associated (FANC/BRCA) pathway to maintain genome integrity. FA is characterized by a triad of clinical traits, including congenital anomalies, bone marrow failure (BMF) and multiple cancer susceptibility. Due to the complex genetic background and a broad spectrum of FA clinical symptoms, the diagnostic process is complex and requires the use of classical cytogenetic, molecular cytogenetics and strictly molecular methods. Recent findings indicate the interplay of inflammation, oxidative stress, disrupted mitochondrial metabolism, and impaired intracellular signaling in the FA pathogenesis. Additionally, a shift in the balance towards overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines and prooxidant components in FA is associated with advanced myelosuppression and ultimately BMF. Although the mechanism of BMF is very complex and needs further clarification, it appears that mutual interaction between proinflammatory cytokines and redox imbalance causes pancytopenia. In this review, we summarize the available literature regarding the clinical phenotype, genetic background, and diagnostic procedures of FA. We also highlight the current understanding of disrupted autophagy process, proinflammatory state, impaired signaling pathways and oxidative genotoxic stress in FA pathogenesis.

Association between perioperative change in red cell distribution width and mortality in patients with brain tumor craniotomy

OBJECTIVE

An elevated preoperative red cell distribution width (RDW) is associated with adverse prognostic outcomes in various diseases. However, the correlation between changes in RDW (ΔRDW) and the prognosis following brain tumor craniotomy remains unclear. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of perioperative changes in RDW in patients undergoing brain tumor craniotomy.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included patients undergoing craniotomy for brain tumors at West China Hospital, Sichuan University, from January 2011 to March 2021. We defined perioperative changes in RDW: group A (non-significant RDW changes, ΔRDW ≤0.4%), group B (drop in RDW, ΔRDW < -0.4%), and group C (rise in RDW, ΔRDW >0.4%). The relationship between the changes in RDW and all-cause mortality was analyzed by categorizing the patients according to perioperative ΔRDW (RDW at postoperative one week - RDW at admission).

RESULTS

The present study included a total of 9589 patients who underwent craniotomy for the treatment of brain tumors. A rise in RDW was significantly associated with increased mortality, with an adjusted OR of 3.56 (95% CI: 2.56-4.95) for 30-day mortality and 1.57 (95% CI: 1.33-1.85) for one-year mortality compared to those with non-significant RDW changes (ΔRDW ≤0.4%). Conversely, a decrease in RDW showed no significant association with 30-day mortality (adjusted OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.53-2.04) and one-year mortality (adjusted OR: 1.18, 95% CI: 0.92-1.53). These findings were also supported by restricted cubic spline, which shows that increases in RDW were significantly associated with lower survival rates compared to stable RDW levels during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients undergoing craniotomy for a brain tumor, a rise in RDW was associated with 30-day mortality and higher long-term mortality risks, even if patients' admissions for RDW values were within the normal range. It was worth noting that maintaining stable RDW levels during this period was associated with better survival.

Association between elevated preoperative red cell distribution width and mortality after brain tumor craniotomy

BACKGROUND

Red cell distribution width (RDW) has been recognized as a potential inflammatory biomarker, with elevated levels associated with adverse outcomes in various diseases. However, its role in predicting outcomes after brain tumor craniotomy remains unclear. We aimed to assess whether preoperative RDW influences mortality and postoperative complications in patients undergoing brain tumor craniotomy.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study analyzed serum RDW levels in patients undergoing brain tumor craniotomy at West China Hospital. RDW was evaluated in two forms: RDW-CV and RDW-SD, and was categorized into four quartiles for analysis by using logistic regression and multivariate analysis to adjust for confounding.

RESULTS

The study encompassed 10,978 patients undergoing brain tumor craniotomy. our analysis revealed no significant difference in 30-day mortality across various RDW-CV levels. However, we observed a dose-response relationship with preoperative RDW-CV levels in assessing long-term mortality risks. Specifically, patients with RDW-CV levels of 12.6-13.2% (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.18), 13.2-13.9% (HR 1.12, 95% CI 1.04-1.26), and > 13.9% (HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.18-1.51) exhibited a significantly higher hazard of long-term mortality compared to those with RDW-CV < 12.6%. When preoperative RDW-CV was analyzed as a continuous variable, for each 10% increase in RDW-CV, the adjusted OR of long-term mortality was 1.09 (95% CI 1.05-1.13). we also observed significant associations between preoperative higher RDW-CV levels and certain postoperative complications including acute kidney injury (OR 1.46, 95% CI: 1.10-1.94), pneumonia infection (OR 1.19 95% CI: 1.05-1.36), myocardial infarction (OR 1.32, 95% CI: 1.05-1.66), readmission (OR 1.15, 95% CI: 1.01-1.30), and a prolonged length of hospital stay (OR 1.11, 95% CI: 1.02-1.21). For RDW-SD levels, there was no significant correlation for short-term mortality, long-term mortality, and postoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed elevated preoperative RDW-CV is significantly associated with increased long-term mortality and multiple postoperative complications, but no such association is observed with RDW-SD. These findings show the prognostic importance of RDW-CV, reinforcing its potential as a valuable tool for risk stratification in the preoperative evaluation of brain tumor craniotomy patients.

Hypomorphic Brca2 and Rad51c double mutant mice display Fanconi anemia, cancer and polygenic replication stress

The prototypic cancer-predisposition disease Fanconi Anemia (FA) is identified by biallelic mutations in any one of twenty-three FANC genes. Puzzlingly, inactivation of one Fanc gene alone in mice fails to faithfully model the pleiotropic human disease without additional external stress. Here we find that FA patients frequently display FANC co-mutations. Combining exemplary homozygous hypomorphic Brca2/Fancd1 and Rad51c/Fanco mutations in mice phenocopies human FA with bone marrow failure, rapid death by cancer, cellular cancer-drug hypersensitivity and severe replication instability. These grave phenotypes contrast the unremarkable phenotypes seen in mice with single gene-function inactivation, revealing an unexpected synergism between Fanc mutations. Beyond FA, breast cancer-genome analysis confirms that polygenic FANC tumor-mutations correlate with lower survival, expanding our understanding of FANC genes beyond an epistatic FA-pathway. Collectively, the data establish a polygenic replication stress concept as a testable principle, whereby co-occurrence of a distinct second gene mutation amplifies and drives endogenous replication stress, genome instability and disease.

Multicompartmental trauma alters bone marrow erythroblastic islands

BACKGROUND

Trauma is associated with widespread inflammation, neuroendocrine activation, and an inadequate bone marrow response to anemia. During late-stage erythropoiesis, erythroid progenitors/erythroblasts form clusters on the surface of specialized bone marrow macrophages where they are supported through terminal differentiation and enucleation. We hypothesized that these erythroblastic islands (EBIs) are adversely impacted by severe trauma.

METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 8/group) were subjected to either multiple injuries (PT) (lung contusion, hemorrhagic shock, cecectomy, and bifemoral pseudofractures), PT plus 2 hours of daily chronic restraint stress (PT/CS), or naive controls. Bone marrow was harvested on days 2 and 7. Nuclear-stained, enriched bone marrow EBIs were fixed and stained for CD71, VCAM-1, and CD163, and confocal images were obtained at 20 times magnification. Numbers of erythroid cells/EBI and ratio of reticulocytes/EBI were counted by a blinded observer. Differences were compared using analysis of variance, with significance defined as p < 0.05.

RESULTS

PT and PT/CS had significantly reduced numbers of erythroid cells per EBI on day 2 when compared with naive (PT: 5.9 ± 1.0 cells [ p < 0.05], PT/CS: 6.8 ± 0.8 cells [ p < 0.05] vs. naive: 8.5 ± 0.8 cells). On day 7, the number of erythroid cells/EBI increased following PT (8.3 ± 0.4 cells) but remained reduced following PT/CS (5.9 ± 0.5 cells [ p < 0.05]). This correlated with an increased proportion of reticulocytes/EBI on day 7 following PT, which was not present following PT/CS (PT: 54% [ p < 0.05] vs. PT/CS: 28%).

CONCLUSION

Late-stage erythropoiesis was altered following multicompartmental PT early after injury, and these alterations persisted with the addition of daily chronic stress. Alterations in EBI structure and function after severe trauma and critical illness may serve as a promising new area of study to improve mechanistic understanding of persistent anemia after trauma.

Is red cell distribution width a prognostic factor in patients with breast cancer? A meta-analysis

Purpose

The current study aimed to investigate whether red blood cell distribution width (RDW) can predict the prognosis of patients with breast cancer (BC).

Methods

We searched four databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library databases, and CNKI, from inception to Jun 13, 2022. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS), and the secondary outcome was disease-free survival (DFS). A subgroup analysis was conducted based on different treatments. This meta-analysis was performed with RevMan 5.3 (The Cochrane Collaboration, London, United Kingdom).

Results

A total of seven studies including 4,884 BC patients were identified. The high RDW group had a larger tumor size (OR = 2.12, 95% CI = 1.67 to 2.68, P < 0.01), higher proportions of advanced stage tumors (OR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.38 to 2.27, P < 0.01), more lymph node metastases (OR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.58 to 2.51, P < 0.01) and lower HER-2 expression (OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.61 to 0.95, P = 0.02). For prognosis, after pooling all the data, we found that the high RDW group was associated with worse OS (HR = 2.12, 95% CI = 1.47 to 3.08, P < 0.01) and DFS (HR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.32 to 2.37, P < 0.01). The subgroup analysis found that RDW had prognostic significance but only for surgery-only patients (HR = 2.41, 95% CI = 1.67 to 3.49, P < 0.01).

Conclusion

High RDW was associated with worse OS and DFS. Therefore, RDW was a simple predictive factor for the prognosis of BC patients.

The usefulness of red blood cell distribution width and its ratio with platelet count in breast cancer after surgery and adjuvant treatment: a retrospective study

Background

To date, red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and RDW-to-platelet count ratio (RPR) have been investigated for their association with cancer. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of RDW and RPR in breast cancer before and after treatment.

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled 395 patients with breast cancer, who were diagnosed between December 2009 and December 2015 and analyzed the association between RDW, RPR, and long-term prognosis. We also compared the RDW and RPR values with the pathologic parameters of breast cancer. The cutoff values for before-treatment RDW, RPR value, after-treatment RDW, and RPR were determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis by identifying the highest Youden index.

Results

In the before-treatment state, no significant disease-free survival (DFS) or overall survival (OS) was found in the RPR and RDW values. However, we found that elevated after-treatment RPR and RDW were significant prognostic factors for DFS, with hazard ratios (HRs) of 2.233 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.073-4.649; P=0.032] and 2.067 (95% CI: 1.085-3.937; P=0.027). Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that the after-treatment RPR and RDW groups had poor OS (HR =30.461; 95% CI: 5.138-180.575; P<0.001) compared with the lower after-treatment RPR and RDW groups. In particular, when the RPR and RDW were in the lower group before the treatment and became elevated after the treatment, it showed a remarkably significant result for OS, with HR 132.6 (95% CI: 3.689-4,767.341; P=0.007) and 10.119 (95% CI: 1.853-55.249; P=0.008).

Conclusions

Thus, after-treatment RPR and RDW could have prognostic value for breast cancer after surgery and adjuvant treatment.

The role of red cell distribution width in predicting the prognosis of patients with breast cancer

Objective: In this study, we aimed to assess the relationship between preoperative red cell distribution width (RDW) and the clinicopathological stage and prognosis of disease in patients operated for invasive epithelial breast cancer (BC). Material and Method: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2010 and January 2015 at a tertiary hospital in Turkey. A total of 280 patients who underwent surgery for histologically diagnosed invasive epithelial BC were included in the study. Results: The mean age of the patients was 53.31±12.58 years. The median follow-up time was 83 (IQR: 56.5–102) months. According to the results we found, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between progesterone receptor (PR) negativity and RDW values (p=0.015). In addition, the RDW values of patients with perineural invasion (PNI) were found to be significantly higher than those without (p=0.036). Conclusion: When the results of our study are evaluated together with prior reports, it can be said that higher preoperative RDW is associated with poor prognosis. When RDW is evaluated together with other possible prognostic factors, such as PNI and PR status, it has the potential to be a new, easily applicable and accurate marker to assess prognosis in patients with invasive epithelial BC.

Predicting Response of Severe Aplastic Anemia to Rabbit-Antithymocyte Immunoglobulin Based Immunosuppressive Therapy Combined With Eltrombopag

Addition of eltrombopag (E-PAG) to intensive immunosuppressive therapy (IST) contributes to restoring hematopoiesis in patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA). Used at relatively low doses in the East Asian population, the efficacies of E-PAG and the predictors for efficacy are not clear. We conducted a retrospective, multicenter study to analyze the efficacy and the possible predicting factors at 6 months in 58 adult SAA patients with rabbit ATG-based IST and E-PAG. The response rate and complete response rate at 6 months were 76% and 21%, respectively. The baseline reticulocyte percentage [area under a curve (AUC)=0.798, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.640-0.956, P=0.006], absolute reticulocyte count (ARC) (AUC =0.808, 95%CI 0.647-0.970, P=0.004), red cell distribution width - coefficient of variation (RDW-CV) (AUC=0.722, 95%CI 0.494-0.950, P=0.040), and absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) (AUC=0.706, 95%CI 0.522-0.890, P=0.057) were highly predictive of response at 6 months. The tipping values of reticulocyte percentage, ARC, RDW-CV, and ALC were 0.45%, 7.36×10⁹/L, 11.75%, and 1.06×10⁹/L, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of reticulocyte percentages were 81.6% and 66.7%; ARC were 86.8% and 66.7%, RDW-CV were 94.7% and 55.6%; ALC were 55.3% and 88.9%. At a median follow-up of 15.5 months, the 2-year cumulative overall survival was 92%. The baseline reticulocyte percentage, ARC, RDW-CV, and ALC were potential factors in predicting a favorable effect of rabbit-ATG based IST plus E-PAG in SAA patients of East Asia (ChiCTR2100045895).

Clinical Trial Registration

http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=125480&htm=4, identifier ChiCTR2100045895.

Correlation between red blood cell distribution width, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, and neutrophil to platelet ratio with 3-month prognosis of patients with intracerebral hemorrhage: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a parameter that indsicates the heterogeneity of red blood cell size and could be a prognostic factor in some diseases. Also, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is considered a vascular event with a high mortality rate. We aimed to examine the role of RDW, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and neutrophil to platelet ratio (NPR) in predicting the prognosis of patients with ICH.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study conducted on 140 patients with ICH admitted to the neurology ward and intensive care unit (ICU) in Imam Reza Hospital, Tabriz, Iran. Demographic data, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and complete blood count test parameters were evaluated within 24 h after hospitalization. These variables were collected and re-evaluated three months later.

RESULTS

The mean age of the study population was 61.14 (± 16) years and 51% were male. The mean NLR (p = 0.05), neutrophil count (p=0.04), platelet count (p = 0.05), and NIHSS (p<0.01)  had a significant difference between the deceased patients and those who partially recovered after three months. The ROC curve showed that NIHSS (area under curve (AUC): 0.902), followed by NPR (AUC: 0.682) variables had the highest AUC.

CONCLUSION

RDW could be a relevant prognostic factor and predictor in determining 3-months survival in ICH. Nevertheless, further large-scale prospective cohorts might be needed to evaluate the associations.

Comparison of transcriptome profiles of nucleated red blood cells in cord blood between preterm and full-term neonates

BACKGROUND

The reactivation of fetal γ-globin expression is an effective strategy for ameliorating the clinical symptoms of β-hemoglobinopathies. However, the mechanism of globin switching, especially the roles of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in this process, remains elusive.

METHODS

We compared the in vivo transcriptome profiles of nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) isolated from the umbilical cord blood of preterm and full-term newborns. We collected 75 umbilical cord blood samples and performed qPCR of the candidate genes.

RESULTS

In this study, we identified 7,166 differentially expressed protein-coding genes, 3,243 differentially expressed lncRNAs, and 79 differentially expressed microRNAs. Our data show that the Fanconi anemia pathway and the H19/let-7/LIN28B axis may be involved in γ- to β-globin gene switching. Moreover, we constructed the hub gene network of the differentially expressed transcription factors. Based on qPCR, we found that BCL11A was differentially expressed based on biological sex. We also confirmed that H19 is differentially expressed and established the H19-related network to reveal the potential regulatory mechanisms.

CONCLUSION

We present the profiles of the in vivo transcriptome differences of NRBCs between preterm and full-term neonates for the first time, and provide novel research targets for β-hemoglobinopathies.

Diagnostic work-up for severe aplastic anemia in children: Consensus of the North American Pediatric Aplastic Anemia Consortium

The North American Pediatric Aplastic Anemia Consortium (NAPAAC) is a group of pediatric hematologist-oncologists, hematopathologists, and bone marrow transplant physicians from 46 institutions in North America with interest and expertise in aplastic anemia, inherited bone marrow failure syndromes, and myelodysplastic syndromes. The NAPAAC Bone Marrow Failure Diagnosis and Care Guidelines Working Group was established with the charge of harmonizing the approach to the diagnostic workup of aplastic anemia in an effort to standardize best practices in the field. This document outlines the rationale for initial evaluations in pediatric patients presenting with signs and symptoms concerning for severe aplastic anemia.

Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Acetate and L-Tryptophan Conjugated Bypass Amino Acid on Productivity of Pre- and Post-Partum Dairy Cows and Their Offspring

Simple Summary

This study examined the effect of acetate and L-tryptophan-conjugated bypass amino acid (ACT), supplemented (15 g/day) to Holstein cows during late pregnancy, on their productivity and the performance of offspring. We identified that the supplementation of ACT incorporated into diet was beneficial for improving the feed intake, blood hematology, and metabolites of the prepartum, and also had a positive effect on reducing saturated fatty acids in the colostrum of the cows postpartum and on the body weight of the newborn calves. The results of this study suggest that ACT supplementation improves the productivity of dairy cows.

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the effect of dietary supplementation with acetate and L-tryptophan-conjugated bypass amino acid (ACT) during late pregnancy on the production performance of cows pre- and postpartum and their offspring. Eight multiparous Holstein cows (calving date ±15 d, 2nd parity; n = 4) were supplied with diets without ACT supplementation (Control) or with 15 g/day ACT supplementation (ACT). The results showed that ACT improved the feed intake (FI) in dry cows. No differences in blood hematological parameters were found between the two groups of prepartum cows. The serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase activity increased and the triglyceride concentration decreased in the ACT-treated group compared to the control group. In the postpartum cows, milk compositions were not affected by ACT supplementation. Saturated fatty acid (SFA) content in the colostrum was significantly lower in the ACT-treated group than in the control group. Serum glucose (GLC) level was significantly higher in the ACT-treated group than in the control group. Monocyte and GLC levels were lower in calves of groups where their dams had received ACT. Overall, we found higher FI in the dry cows, lower colostrum SFA levels, and heavier calf birth weight (5.5 kg) when the dams were supplemented with ACT, suggesting a positive nutrient compensation by ACT supplementation to dry cows.

A retrospective cohort study on the association between elevated preoperative red cell distribution width and all-cause mortality after noncardiac surgery

BACKGROUND

Elevated red cell distribution width (RDW) has been associated with worse outcomes in several medical patient populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of increased preoperative RDW and short- and long-term mortality after noncardiac surgery.

METHODS

This investigation was a retrospective cohort study including all patients undergoing noncardiac surgery between 2005 and 2015 at Landspitali-the National University Hospital in Iceland. Patients were separated into five predefined groups based on preoperative RDW (≤13.3%, 13.4-14.0%, 14.1-14.7%, 14.8-15.8%, and >15.8%). The primary outcome was all-cause long-term mortality and secondary outcomes included 30-day mortality, length of stay, and readmissions within 30 days, compared with propensity score matched (PSM) cohort from patients with RDW ≤13.3%.

RESULTS

There was a higher hazard of long-term mortality for patients with RDW between 14.8% and 15.8% (hazard ratio=1.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.15-1.59; P<0.001) and above 15.8% (hazard ratio=1.66; 95% confidence interval, 1.41-1.95; P<0.001), compared with matched controls with RDW ≤13.3%. This association held in multiple patient subgroups. For secondary outcomes, there was no difference in 30-day mortality, length of stay, or risk of readmission within 30 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased preoperative RDW is associated with increased long-term mortality after noncardiac surgery. RDW could be a composite biomarker of pre-existing chronic inflammation and poor nutritional status. Future studies should clarify if this is a modifiable risk factor for improved surgical outcomes.

Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Cardiovascular Disease Endotypes Identified by Red Blood Cell Distribution Width and Mean Platelet Volume

In a subset of psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients, the skin and/or joint lesions appear to generate biologically significant systemic inflammation. Red cell distribution width (RDW) and mean platelet volume (MPV) are readily available clinical tests that reflect responses of the bone marrow and/or plasma thrombogenicity (e.g., inflammation), and can be markers for major adverse cardiac events (MACE). We aimed to evaluate if RDW and MPV may be employed as inexpensive, routinely obtained biomarkers in predicting myocardial infarction (MI), atrial fibrillation (AF), and chronic heart failure (CHF) in psoriatic and psoriatic arthritis patients. The study was divided into two parts: (a) case control study employing big data (Explorys) to assess MPV and RDW in psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and control cohorts; (b) a clinical observational study to validate the predictive value of RDW and to evaluate RDW response to anti-psoriatic therapies. We used Explorys, an aggregate electronic database, to identify psoriatic patients with available MPV and RDW data and compared them to gender and age matched controls. The incidence of myocardial infarction (MI), atrial fibrillation (AF), and chronic heart failure (CHF) was highest among patients with both elevated RDW and MPV, followed by patients with high RDW and normal MPV. RDW elevation among PsA patients was associated with an increased risk of MI, AF, and CHF. In a local clinical cohort, high RDWs were concentrated in a subset of patients who also had elevated circulating resistin levels. Among a small subset of participants who were treated with various systemic and biologic therapies, and observed over a year, and in whom RDW was elevated at baseline, a sustained response to therapy was associated with a decrease in RDW. RDW and MPV, tests commonly contained within routine complete blood count (CBC), may be a cost-effective manner to identify PsO and PsA patients at increased risk of MACE.

Relationship between red cell distribution width and prognosis in patients with breast cancer after operation: a retrospective cohort study

We retrospectively enrolled 825 breast cancer patients, who was primarily diagnosed in our hospital between January 2009 and December 2014 and explored the relationship between red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and long-term prognosis in patients with breast cancer. There were 412 patients with high RDW (RDW > 13.82) and 413 patients with low RDW (RDW ≤ 13.82). Compared with low RDW group, the high w group has large tumor size (the rate of tumor size >2 cm: 60.7 vs 44.8%, P=0.013). The rate of lymph node metastases was higher in the high RDW group thaten that in the low RDW group (62.1 vs 45.8%, P=0.000). RDW was positively associated with tumor stage. The high RDW tended to be advanced stage (P=0.000). Compared with low RDW group, the high RDW group tended to be higher lymphocyte count (P=0.004), elevated fibrinogen (P=0.043), and elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (P=0.000). The Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated elevated RDW was positively associated with disease-free survival (DFS) (P=0.004) and overall survival (OS) (P=0.011). The multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that the high RDW group had poorer OS (Hazard risk [HR] = 2.43; 95% CI: 1.62-3.21; P=0.024) and DFS (HR = 1.89; 95% CI: 1.28-3.62; P=0.000) compared with low RDW group. The present study found that high pretreatment RDW levels in breast cancer patients were associated with poor OS and DFS. RDW could be a potential predictive factor in differential diagnosis of poor prognosis from all patients.

Diagnostic and Prognostic Relevance of Red Blood Cell Distribution Width for Vascular Aging and Cardiovascular Diseases

Evidence suggests association of red blood cell distribution width (RDW) with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). On the contrary, we underline that the sole RDW values cannot represent a valid CVD biomarker. High RDW values are expression of biological effects of a lot of both endogenous and exogenous factors (i.e., age, sex, genetic background, inflammation, hormones, drugs, diet, exercise, hematological analyzers, and ranges of values), modulating the biology and physiology of erythrocytes. Thus, the singular monitoring of RDW cannot be used to predict cardiovascular disorders. Accordingly, we have reviewed the evidence for potential relationship of RDW values with alterations in the cardiovascular system (i.e., regenerative capacity, endothelial turnover, and senescence of cardiovascular cells), associated with vascular aging and disease. In addition, we highlight the inevitable impact of biases in clinical application of RDW related to CVDs. Based on our thorough review of literature, we suggest a combined evaluation of RDW with other emerging biomarkers related to vascular aging and the diagnosis and prognosis of CVDs, including telomere length of leukocytes, circulating nucleated red blood cells (nRBCs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in future large scale studies.

The Impact of Red Cell Distribution Width on the Development of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease who Underwent Coronary Angiography

Objectives:

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) accounts for 10% of all causes of hospital-acquired renal failure. The pathophysiological cellular mechanism of the CIN development remains unclear and seems to be multifactorial. Herein, we aimed to determine the role of red cell distribution width (RDW) in the development of CIN after elective percutaneous intervention in patients with stable coronary artery disease, which in our opinion has not been researched enough.

Methods:

Between October 2009 and October 2011, a total of 211 patients with stable coronary artery disease who had undergone a coronary intervention procedure were evaluated prospectively. The patients were classified according to the development of CIN, and both groups were compared statistically according to clinical, laboratory, and demographic features, including the serum RDW level.

Results:

In 18.8% of the patients, CIN was observed. The mean age was 64±10.5, and 59% of the study group was male. An advanced age, male gender, hypertension, the serum total protein level, high density lipoprotein, and albumin levels were correlated with the development of CIN. The mean RDW level was 13.7±1.4%, and the mean creatinine level was 1.0±0.2 mg/dL. There was not any correlation between RDW and the presence of CIN (CIN[−]=13.8±1.5, CIN[+]=13.6±1.0, p>0.05), and also a multivariate regression analysis proved this non-correlation (OR : 0.92, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.62–1.34; p: 0.67 ). There was only a correlation between hypertension and male gender with CIN that was proved with a multivariate regression analysis (OR=5.74, 95% CI: 1.96–16.79, p<0.01 vs OR=5.34, 95% CI=1.22–23.3, p: 0.02, respectively).

Conclusion:

Our outcomes indicate that the RDW has a limited use as a CIN predictor in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

Red blood cell distribution width and ischaemic stroke

The red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a measure of red blood cell (RBC) size heterogeneity, which is easily calculated by dividing the SD of erythrocyte volumes for the mean corpuscular volume. Recent reporter suggested that, besides haematological diseases and anaemia, many human disorders may be closely associated with the elevated RDW. A literature review has revealed the RDW may be closely related to the development of ischaemic stroke, carotid artery atherosclerosis and cerebral embolism. Higher RDW could independently predict adverse outcomes in patients in these conditions.