The ratio of hemoglobin to red cell distribution width as a novel prognostic parameter in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a retrospective study from southern China

Independent effects of the hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio on 180-day mortality in critically ill patients with Gastrointestinal bleeding: analysis from the MIMIC-IV database

BACKGROUND

Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is associated with high mortality rates among critically ill patients. The hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio (HRR) has recently emerged as a potential prognostic marker in various clinical settings. However, the association between HRR and prognosis in critically ill patients with GIB is unclear.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the MIMIC-IV database (version 2.2). Patients diagnosed with GIB were included based on predefined criteria. The HRR was calculated as the ratio of hemoglobin to red blood cell distribution width. Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariate Cox regression models assessed the association between HRR and 180-day mortality. Restricted cubic spline curves were employed to evaluate the nonlinear relationship between HRR and mortality. Additionally, a segmented regression model was constructed to determine the threshold effect in nonlinearity. Subgroup analyses were performed to assess the consistency of the relationship between HRR and 180-day mortality across different patient populations.

RESULTS

A total of 2,346 patients met the inclusion criteria. Higher HRR was independently associated with reduced 180-day all-cause mortality (adjusted HR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.07-0.31; P < 0.001). Non-linear associations were observed using restricted cubic splines (P for overall < 0.001, P for non-linearity = 0.002). When HRR was less than 0.81, each unit increase in HRR was associated with a 90% reduction in 180-day mortality among patients with GIB (HR, 0.10; 95% CI, 0.04-0.24; P < 0.001). Subgroup analyses demonstrated that the association between HRR and 180-day mortality was consistent across all subgroups.

CONCLUSION

HRR exhibits a significant nonlinear negative association with 180-day mortality in critically ill patients with GIB. This association was consistent across multiple subgroups, suggesting that HRR may serve as a simple and effective prognostic biomarker in patients with GIB.

Association between hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio and cognitive function in older US adults: a cross-sectional study based on the NHANES 2011-2014

Introduction

The hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio (HRR) is acknowledged as a promising new prognostic biomarker. Nevertheless, investigations into its connection with cognitive function have yielded unclear results.

Aim

This study aimed to investigate the association between the hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio (HRR) and cognitive function in older adults in the United States.

Methods

This study utilized data obtained from the NHANES database, encompassing the years 2011 to 2014. The participant cohort consisted of elderly individuals aged 60 years and older, all of whom underwent thorough assessments of cognitive function, hemoglobin levels, and red blood cell width. We employed weighted logistic regression analysis, along with restricted cubic spline (RCS) curves and subgroup analyses, to rigorously evaluate the association between hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio (HRR) and cognitive function.

Results

This study encompassed a total of 2,520 participants, with a mean age of 69.44 ± 6.76 years. After adjusting for multiple covariates, logistic regression analysis indicated a significant linear cognitive impairment between HRR and cognitive function. Specifically, each one-unit increase in HRR was associated with an 82% reduction in the probability of cognitive impairment among participants (OR = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.04-0.78). This relationship remained exist after HRR was categorized into tertiles. Participants in the highest HRR tertile exhibited a 42% lower likelihood of cognitive impairment compared to those in the lowest tertile (OR = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.37-0.91, p = 0.022). To validate the robustness of our findings, we conducted subgroup analyses, which consistently demonstrated stable results across all evaluated groups.

Conclusion

This cross-sectional study revealed a significant negative correlation between HRR and cognitive function.

Association of hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among patients with hypertension

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio (HRR) is a novel marker indicating inflammation. However, the association between HRR and mortality among hypertensive populations remains unclear.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 2,185 hypertensive participants were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2018. Mortality data were obtained from the National Death Index (NDI). HRR values were calculated according to the given formula. Over a median follow-up period of 68.0 months, 273 (12.5 %) of the 2,185 participants died, with 77 (3.5 %) deaths attributed to cardiovascular diseases. Survival curve analyses revealed significant decreases in the survival rate for both all-cause and cardiovascular diseases in the lower HRR groups compared to the highest one (P < 0.0001). After adjustment in the multifactorial Cox regression analyses and restricted cubic splines analyses, the lowest HRR quartile exhibited the highest risk of both all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Time-dependent ROC analyses demonstrated that HRR possesses predictive ability for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality across different time periods, appearing superior to Hb and RDW. While stratified analyses revealed a similar trend among subgroups, the hazard ratio was notably higher in the female subgroup compared to the male subgroup.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that lower HRR levels are significantly associated with higher risks of both all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among the hypertensive population, particularly among males. HRR could potentially serve as a straightforward and practical tool for identifying high-risk patients and guiding targeted interventions.

Hemoglobin to red cell distribution width ratio predicts postoperative delirium in older patients undergoing hip fracture surgery: A retrospective cohort study

AIM

This study aimed to investigate the predictive effect of hemoglobin to red cell distribution width ratio (HRR) on postoperative delirium (POD) in older patients undergoing hip fracture surgery.

METHODS

POD was diagnosed by capturing descriptive words from the medical records. The correlation between POD and HRR was determined using logistic regression analysis, and the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to further evaluate the value of HRR in predicting POD.

RESULTS

In total, 202 older patients accepting hip fracture surgery were included in our study. The result of multiple logistic regression analysis presented HRR (odds ratio, 0.504 [95% confidence interval, 0.340-0.747]; P < 0.001), American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status >2, and neutrophils were independently correlated with POD. The area under the curve of HRR was 0.746 (95% confidence interval, 0.676-0.815), and the optimal cutoff value was 8.322.

CONCLUSIONS

HRR, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status >2 and neutrophils could independently predict POD in older patients undergoing hip fracture surgery, and HRR had satisfactory predictive value. However, further research is needed to confirm our findings. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2025; 25: 565-571.

Association of hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio with mortality in critically Ill patients with heart failure and acute kidney injury: insights from the MIMIC-IV database

BACKGROUND

The association between the hemoglobin-to-red cell distribution width ratio (HRR) and mortality in critically ill patients with heart failure (HF) and acute kidney injury (AKI) remains uncertain. This research focuses on exploring the association between HRR and both short-term and long-term all-cause mortality in these patients.

METHODS

Participants were selected from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database and categorized into tertiles based on HRR values. The primary endpoint was 28-days ICU all-cause mortality. Secondary endpoints included 28-days hospital and 90-days hospital all-cause mortality. Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic splines were used to analyze the association between HRR and mortality in patients with HF and AKI. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis estimated endpoint differences across tertiles.

RESULTS

A total of 7561 patients were included, with 55.5% being male (n=4199). Cox proportional hazards analysis showed a significant link between HRR and both short-term and long-term mortality in critically ill patients with HF and AKI. This association remained significant after adjusting for confounders. The restricted cubic splines model demonstrated a linear relationship between a higher HRR index and a reduced mortality risk. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed significant differences in short-term and long-term mortality among the tertile groups.

CONCLUSION

The study results show a strong association between lower HRR and increased short-term and long-term mortality in critically ill patients with heart failure and AKI. HRR proves to be a valuable and cost-effective marker for identifying high-risk patients.

Prognostic Impact of the Ratio of Hemoglobin to Red Blood Cell Distribution Width in Patients after Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

Objective The ratio of hemoglobin to red blood cell distribution width (Hb/RDW) is a simple and readily available tool associated with adverse outcomes in chronic heart failure (HF). However, the association between the Hb/RDW ratio and mortality in patients with acute decompensated HF (ADHF) is unclear. The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between the Hb/RDW ratio and mortality in patients after ADHF. Methods This single-center study included clinical and laboratory data collected at baseline, with patients prospectively followed-up for a median period of 3.1 years. The patients were divided into two groups based on their median Hb/RDW ratio. Patients We evaluated 250 consecutive patients hospitalized for ADHF at Shinshu University Hospital between July 2014 and March 2019. Results In our study cohort [median age, 76 (66-83) years; 62.8% male], all-cause death was observed in 91 patients (incidence rate: 12.7 per 100 patient-years). A Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that patients in the lower Hb/RDW ratio group (<0.24, n=131) had worse outcomes compared to those in the higher group (≥0.24, n=119) (cumulative incidence 44.1% vs. 19.5%, respectively; log-rank, p<0.001). After adjusting for demographics, HF severity, and laboratory biomarkers, a lower Hb/RDW ratio was significantly associated with a higher risk of mortality (hazard ratio, 1.89; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-3.45; p=0.038). Conclusion A lower Hb/RDW ratio is associated with an increased risk of mortality in patients after ADHF, thus indicating its potential utility in identifying patients at an elevated risk for future cardiovascular events.

Association between the hemoglobin-to-red cell distribution width ratio and three-month unfavorable outcome in older acute ischemic stroke patients: a prospective study

Objective

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a prevalent acute condition among older individuals. This study is the first investigation of the link between the HRR and unfavorable three-month outcome in older AIS patients.

Methods

This secondary research used data from a sample of 1,470 older AIS patients collected from a South Korean hospital between January 2010 and December 2016. Multiple imputation was applied to account for absent values. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between the baseline HRR and adverse outcome at three-month. Restricted cubic spline analysis was employed to evaluate the correlation between HRR levels and adverse outcome. Interaction tests were performed to discern variations among subgroups.

Results

At 3 months, the overall incidence of adverse events was 31.43%, with a median HRR of 9.49. Compared to those with a lower HRR (Q1), the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for the HRR in Q2, Q3, and Q4 were 0.61 (95% CI: 0.41-0.92, p = 0.017), 0.49 (95% CI: 0.31-0.78, p = 0.003), and 0.54 (95% CI: 0.31-0.92, p = 0.025), respectively. The correlation between the HRR and adverse outcome was non-linear (p < 0.05). An inflection point threshold of 10.70 was established via RCS analysis. Each 1-unit increase in HRR on the left side of the infection point was associated with a 24.0% decrease in the likelihood of adverse outcomes (OR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.66-0.86, p < 0.001). ROC analysis revealed that HRR had the highest AUC (0.64, 95% CI: 0.61-0.67), followed by hs-CRP (0.60, 95% CI: 0.57-0.63), FPG/HbA1c (0.59, 95% CI: 0.55-0.63), and WBC (0.55, 95% CI: 0.51-0.58).

Conclusion

A lower HRR was correlated with a higher risk for adverse outcome in older AIS patients.

Trends in hemoglobin-to- red cell distribution width ratio and its prognostic value for all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular mortality: a nationwide cohort study

The hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio (HRR) has emerged as a potential predictor of various health outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the association between HRR and all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular mortality. This cohort study used data from 28,825 participants in the 1999-2018 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Weighted Cox regression was used to assess the associations between HRR and mortality. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) models evaluated the non-linear associations between HRR and mortality risk. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of the study results. Trend tests assessed the temporal trends of mean HRR. Lower HRR was significantly linked to increased risks of all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular mortality. According to the fully adjusted model, the highest quintile of HRR (Q5) showed lower mortality risks compared to the lowest quintile (Q1): all-cause mortality (HR 0.47, 95% CI 0.40, 0.55), cancer mortality (HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.37, 0.71), and cardiovascular mortality (HR 0.43, 95% CI 0.32, 0.56). A significant trend effect was observed across HRR quintiles (P for trend < 0.0001). Nonlinear association analyses suggested a linear relationship between HRR and cardiovascular mortality, while "L"-shaped associations were observed for all-cause and cancer mortality. Notably, the mean HRR levels decreased from 1.18 (95% CI 1.16-1.19) in 1999-2000 to 1.07 (95% CI 1.05-1.08) in 2017-2018. An inverse association between HRR and mortality risk was found, with lower HRR levels indicating higher mortality risk. Over the past two decades (1999-2018), there has been a significant decline in HRR levels among U.S. adults. HRR may serve as a valuable and easily obtainable predictor for mortality risk assessment in clinical practice.

Clinical relevance of HRR (hemoglobin to RDW) and RAR (RDW to albumin) in pericarditis

AIM

This study evaluated the Hemoglobin to Red Cell Distribution Width Ratio (HRR) and Red Cell Distribution Width to Albumin Ratio (RAR) in acute pericarditis patients, exploring associations with clinical parameters.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study included 257 patients diagnosed with acute pericarditis (2015-2023). Data on hemoglobin, RDW, albumin, treatments, hospital stay, and recurrence were analyzed using SPSS 27.0.

RESULTS

The mean age was 41 years. HRR averaged 1.067 ± 0.142, and RAR was 0.311. Men had higher hemoglobin and albumin levels, while women had higher platelet and HDL levels. Lower HRR correlated with severe conditions and recurrence, while higher RAR was linked to disease severity and recurrence. Both markers were strongly associated with pericardial effusion and IV steroid need.

CONCLUSION

HRR and RAR are valuable biomarkers in acute pericarditis, aiding in assessing disease severity and guiding treatment.

Red Blood Cell Distribution Width May Predict Drug-Induced Anemia and Prognosis in Patients Affected by Primary/Secondary Myelofibrosis Treated with Ruxolitinib

INTRODUCTION

Myelofibrosis (MF) is often characterized by a multifactorial anemia determined, in part, by bone marrow (BM) fibrosis, extramedullary erythropoiesis and splenomegaly. Ruxolitinib (RUX) is the first-in-class janus kinase 2 (JAK2) inhibitor approved for treatment of MF, proved to reduce spleen volume and decrease symptom burden. The red cell distribution width (RDW) is the measure of erythrocyte volume variability (anisocytosis). RDW has been recognized as a marker of clinical and subclinical systemic inflammation, and its elevation has also been associated with poor outcome in a wide spectrum of benign disorders and in different types of neoplasms.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated RDW in a single-center series of 200 consecutive patients with primary and secondary MF at RUX treatment initiation and examined any possible correlation with adverse MF features or drug-related anemia and any prognostic impact.

RESULTS

We suggested 20.5% as the optimal cutoff point in RDW values at start of RUX to dichotomize patients in receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for spleen response and for survival. Higher RDW values at RUX start were associated with clinical and laboratory features of an aggressive MF phenotype. Lower spleen response (p < 0.001) and greater odds of drug-related anemia at 3 (p = 0.006) and 6 months (p < 0.001) were also seen in patients with higher RDW. Both increased RDW (considered as a continuous variable) and RDW ≥ 20.5% were associated with shorter overall survival (OS) from RUX initiation in univariate and multivariate analysis: HR 1.25 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-1.40) (p < 0.001) and HR 3.01 (95% CI 1.81-4.99) (p < 0.001), respectively. RDW ≥ 20.5% at RUX start seems to possibly improve patients' sub-stratification along with anemia and conventional prognostic scoring systems.

CONCLUSIONS

RDW at RUX start might represent a good indirect measure of MF features and might have prognostic significance for RUX-treated patients affected by MF, aiding in the rapid detection of patients with poor prognosis.

Role of Hb to RDW ratio in metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients treated with first-line immunotherapy combinations

BACKGROUND

The present study aimed to investigate the prognostic and predictive roles of Hb/RDW ratio in patients with mRCC treated with first-line immunotherapy combinations (TKI plus ICI or ICI plus ICI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a sub-analysis of a multicenter retrospective observational study (ARON-1 project) involving patients with mRCC treated with first-line immunotherapy combinations.

RESULTS

Three hundred and twenty-nine patients were enrolled, 244 males and 85 females. Median age was 65.5 years. The prognostic impact of the Hb/RDW ratio on PFS and OS was observed in the whole population examined. Hb/RDW ratio had a correlation with neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a blood inflammatory parameter.

CONCLUSION

Hb/RDW ratio is a new inflammatory prognostic factor, easy to use in daily clinical practice.

High hemoglobin-to-red cell distribution width ratio reduces adverse events in patients with pacemaker implantation

BACKGROUND

The prognostic significance of the hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width (Hb/RDW) ratio in patients undergoing pacemaker implantation (PMI) remains uncertain. Our study aimed to explore the prospective relationship between the Hb/RDW ratio and the risk of major cardiovascular events (MCEs) in Chinese patients with PMI.

METHODS

A total of 595 patients with permanent PMI were enrolled. Patients were divided into the high-Hb/RDW (≥ 9.1 g/L per percent) and the low-Hb/RDW (< 9.1 g/L per percent) groups according to the levels of the Hb/RDW ratio using the receiver operating characteristic curve. The primary outcome was the composite MCEs including heart failure hospitalization, myocardial infarction, stroke, and all-cause death, presented as hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) estimated by the Cox Proportional Hazards models, propensity score (PS) adjusted, and inverse probability weighting (IPW) analyses, respectively.

RESULTS

During the median 2-year follow-up period, 95 (16%) MCEs were identified among the 595 patients with PMI Patients with a high Hb/RDW ratio exhibited a lower risk of MCEs compared to those with a low Hb/RDW ratio (adjusted HR: 0.456; 95% CI: 0.376-0.848). In additional analyses with different statistical models, the multivariate-adjusted HR was 0.592 (95% CI: 0.380-0.920) for the PS-adjusted analysis and 0.444 (95% CI: 0.271-0.729) for the IPW, respectively. There were no interactions between subgroups and Hb/RDW in our analysis.

CONCLUSION

High levels of the Hb/RDW ratio were linked to a lower risk of composite MCEs. The Hb/RDW ratio was a better predictor of MCEs than Hb or RDW alone.

Hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio is negatively associated with stroke: a cross-sectional study from NHANES

Numerous studies have suggested that the hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio (HRR) is associated with the onset, progression, and prognosis of various diseases. However, to the best of our knowledge, no research has conducted statistical analyses to determine the association between HRR and stroke. This cross-sectional study was conducted among adults with complete data on hemoglobin-red cell distribution width ratio (HRR) and stroke from the 2005-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). HRR was calculated by dividing hemoglobin (HGB) in grams per deciliter (g/dL) by the red blood cell distribution width (RDW). Weighted multivariable logistic regression and generalized additive models were employed to investigate the independent and nonlinear relationships between HRR and stroke. Threshold effects were assessed using two-piece linear regression models. Additionally, subgroup analyses and interaction tests were performed. A total of 36,215 participants were included, with 2.92% classified as stroke patients. The prevalence of stroke decreased across increasing tertiles of HRR (Q1: 5.07%; Q2: 2.63%; Q3: 1.69%; P < 0.0001). A negative association between HRR and stroke was observed in both unadjusted and adjusted models. In Model III, each one-unit increase in HRR was associated with a 58% reduction in the likelihood of stroke (Model III: OR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.29-0.63). Subgroup analyses and interaction tests revealed that the association between HRR and stroke was BMI-dependent (P < 0.05), with the negative association only observed in participants with BMI < = 25 and BMI 25-30, but not in those with BMI > 30. Using a two-piece linear regression model, a threshold effect was identified at a BMI of 30 (K = 1.16). To the left of this breakpoint, there was a negative association between HRR and stroke (OR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.27-0.97), whereas no such association was detected to the right of the breakpoint (OR = 6.49, 95% CI: 0.75-56.11). HRR is negatively associated with the likelihood of stroke, with a lower risk of stroke in individuals with higher HRR levels.

Evaluation of HRR (Hemoglobin/Red Blood Cell Distribution Width Ratio) and RAR (Red Blood Cell Distribution Width/Albumin Ratio) in Myocarditis Patients: Associations with Various Clinical Parameters

Aim

This study investigates the prognostic value of the Hemoglobin/Red Blood Cell Distribution Width Ratio (HRR) and the Red Blood Cell Distribution Width/Albumin Ratio (RAR) in patients with myocarditis. We aimed to evaluate how these novel biomarkers correlate with clinical parameters, disease severity, and outcomes.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 301 patients diagnosed with myocarditis between January 2020 and March 2024. Inclusion criteria were adults with confirmed myocarditis based on clinical, ECG and echocardiographic evaluations. Exclusion criteria included incomplete records and prior immunosuppressive therapy. We assessed various blood parameters, including HRR and RAR, and analyzed their associations with clinical outcomes, hospital stay duration, and complications.

Results

The study found that HRR and RAR were significantly associated with several clinical outcomes in myocarditis patients. Higher HRR values correlated with improved outcomes, while higher RAR values were linked to worse outcomes. HRR was associated with pericardial effusion, inotropic support, and other parameters, while RAR was correlated with similar factors, including recent gastroenteritis. Patients with longer hospital stays exhibited higher inflammation markers and lower ejection fractions, underscoring the severity of their condition.

Conclusion

HRR and RAR are promising biomarkers for assessing disease severity and prognosis in myocarditis. They provide additional prognostic information beyond traditional markers such as troponin and CRP, potentially guiding more personalized treatment strategies.

The role of interleukin-20 and vascular endothelial growth factor-A biomarkers in the detection of renal impairment in patients with multiple myeloma

BACKGROUND

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant incurable disease characterized by monoclonal plasma cell increase associated with renal impairment. Evaluation of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), hemoglobin/red cell distribution width (HB/RDW), interleukin-20 (IL-20), and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGFA) in patients with MM (with or without renal impairment) as prognostic and severity indicators.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted on sixty MM patients with renal impairment, sixty MM patients without renal impairment, and sixty subjects (control group). Complete blood count, IL-20 immunoassay, and gene expression of IL-20, and VEGFA were evaluated.

RESULTS

Higher levels of NLR, MLR, and IL-20, and moreover lower levels of PLR, HB/RDW, as well as upregulation of IL-20, and VEGFA gene expression were detected in MM patients, especially those with renal impairment. Receiver operating characteristic curves analysis of NLR, MLR, PLR, and IL-20 showed high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of MM and disease stages.

CONCLUSIONS

NLR, MLR, PLR, HB/RDW, IL-20, and VEGFA may be implicated in the inflammatory process of MM and renal impairment pathogenesis. NLR, MLR, and IL-20 can be used as prognostic markers in MM stages.

Association of hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio and bone mineral density in older adults

BACKGROUND

Hemoglobin-to-Red Cell Distribution Width Ratio (HRR) represents novel prognostic markers for diseases. However, there remains a lack of systematic research into the relationship between HRR and Bone Mineral Density (BMD) or osteoporosis in older adults.

METHODS

This study utilized information from the NHANES database, selecting individuals over 50 years of age with complete femoral DXA scans and full blood counts. The relationship between HRR and femoral BMD was investigated using weighted linear models and restricted cubic spline (RCS) models. Moreover, the association between HRR and osteoporosis was further explored using logistic regression models and RCS models, with subgroup analysis conducted to test the robustness of the results.

RESULTS

This study included a total of 7,149 participants, and the BMD of the group with higher HRR was significantly greater than that of the group with lower HRR. Weighted linear regression analysis found a linear positive correlation between HRR and femoral BMD. When HRR was converted from a continuous variable to a categorical variable, this relationship remained stable. In addition, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that for each 1-unit increase in HRR, the prevalence of osteoporosis significantly decreased (OR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.12-0.51), further confirming the findings of this study. Subgroup analysis showed that this association was not significantly affected by confounding factors across different populations.

CONCLUSION

HRR may serve as one of the potential indicators for evaluating BMD and assessing the prevalence of osteoporosis in the elderly. Elevating HRR levels may play a crucial role in the prevention and slowing of osteoporosis progression.

Unlocking the potential of HB/RDW ratio as a simple marker for predicting mortality in acute ischemic stroke patients after thrombolysis

BACKGROUND

Systemic inflammation impairs outcomes in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). There is limited knowledge regarding the prognostic value of inflammatory biomarkers derived from complete blood count in predicting in-hospital mortality (IHM) in AIS patients treated with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA). Our study aims to compare the predictive performance of various inflammatory biomarkers for predicting IHM in AIS patients.

METHODS

This retrospective study included AIS patients treated with rt-PA between January 2015 and July 2022. We identified the following inflammatory biomarkers: white blood cell counts (WBCs), absolute neutrophil count, absolute lymphocyte count, neutrophil to lymphocyte count ratio, platelet to neutrophil ratio, platelet to lymphocyte ratio, red cell distribution width (RDW), RDW to platelet ratio (RPR), and hemoglobin to RDW (HB/RDW) at admission before rt-PA administration. We assessed the predictive value of these biomarkers for IHM by plotting receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The associations between inflammatory biomarkers and IHM were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression (MVLR) analyses.

RESULTS

Of 345 AIS patients, IHM occurred in 65 patients (18.84%). HB/RDW and RDW showed better predictive performance compared to other inflammatory biomarkers. In ROC curve analysis, HB/RDW and RDW had an area under ROC of 0.668. HB/RDW outperformed RDW in terms of the positive likelihood ratio (2.733 vs 1.575), accuracy (0.757 vs 0.585), specificity (0.814 vs 0.560), and positive predictive values (0.388 vs 0.267). In MVLR analysis, RDW, RPR, and HB/RDW remained significantly associated with IHM (per 1-unit increases: odds ratios (ORs) = 1.450, 95% CI: [1.178-1.784]; per 1-unit increases: ORs = 1.329, 95% CI [1.103-1.602]; and per 0.1-unit decreases: ORs = 1.412, 95% CI [1.089-1.831], respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The association between HB/RDW and IHM in AIS patients treated with rt-PA was significant. HB/RDW exhibited superior predictive performance compared to other inflammatory biomarkers in predicting IHM.

Prognostic value of hemoglobin to red blood cell distribution width ratio in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have identified the hemoglobin (Hb) to red blood cell distribution width (RDW) ratio (HRR) is associated with the prognosis of a variety of malignant tumors. However, the relationship between HRR and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) prognosis remains unexplored. This study aims to ascertain the prognostic significance of HRR in PDAC patients.

METHODS

In a retrospective analysis, 128 PDAC patients undergoing initial surgical resection at Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital between January 2016 and September 2021 were included. Based on receiver operating characteristic curve-derived cut-off values, participants were categorized into low and high HRR groups. The correlation between HRR and patient prognosis was subsequently examined.

RESULTS

Significant disparities in age, Hb levels, RDW, tumor locality, surgical intervention, and postoperative chemotherapy were observed between the two groups (P < 0.05). Notably, the low HRR cohort exhibited inferior disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates (P = 0.002 for both). Univariate analysis indicated that male gender, adjacent tissue invasion, TNM stages III/IV, non-O blood types, low HRR, and lack of postoperative chemotherapy were linked to adverse DFS and OS outcomes (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis further delineated low HRR as an independent predictor of poor DFS and OS outcomes (HR: 1.520, 95% CI: 1.028-2.247, P = 0.036; HR: 1.537, 95% CI: 1.034-2.284, P = 0.034, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that a lower HRR is indicative of poorer DFS and OS in PDAC patients, underscoring its potential utility as a prognostic biomarker for this population.

Predictive role of red blood cell distribution width and hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio for mortality in patients with COPD: evidence from NHANES 1999-2018

BACKGROUND

Higher red blood cell distribution width (RDW) levels are associated with mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, more convincing evidence is still lacking, and the relationship between hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio (HRR) and mortality in patients with COPD remains unclear.

METHODS

This study is a prospective cohort study that includes 3,745 adult patients with COPD from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database spanning from 1999 to 2018 in the United States. COX proportional hazards regression analysis, Kaplan-Meier survival curves and restricted cubic spline models were employed to investigate the association of RDW and HRR levels with mortality. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of RDW and HRR in predicting mortality in patients with COPD.

RESULTS

Higher RDW level was positively associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.11-1.21, P < 0.001), cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality (HR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.06-1.21, P < 0.001), and chronic lower respiratory disease (CLRD) related mortality (HR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.05-1.25, P = 0.003) after adjusting for various potential confounders. HRR was inversely associated with all-cause mortality (HR = 0.14, 95% CI = 0.08-0.25, P < 0.001), CVD mortality (HR = 0.12, 95% CI = 0.05-0.31, P < 0.001). HRR has no significant correlation with CLRD-related mortality. The time-dependent ROC curve showed that RDW exhibited area under the curves (AUCs) of the 5- and 10-year survival rates were 0.707 and 0.714 for all-cause mortality and 0.686 and 0.698, respectively, for CVD mortality. HRR yielded AUCs of the 5- and 10-year survival rates were 0.661 and 0.653 for all-cause mortality and 0.654 and 0.66, respectively, for CVD mortality.

CONCLUSION

Higher RDW levels were positively associated with an increased risk of mortality in patients with COPD. HRR levels were negatively correlated with the risk of all-cause and CVD mortality. The predictive value of HRR for mortality in these patients is lower than that of RDW.

Prognostic value of combining 24-hour ASPECTS and hemoglobin to red cell distribution width ratio to the THRIVE score in predicting in-hospital mortality among ischemic stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis

BACKGROUND

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a significant global health issue, directly impacting mortality and disability. The Totaled Health Risks in Vascular Events (THRIVE) score is appreciated for its simplicity and ease of use to predict stroke clinical outcomes; however, it lacks laboratory and neuroimaging data, which limits its ability to predict outcomes precisely. Our study evaluates the impact of integrating the 24-hour Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) and hemoglobin-to-red cell distribution width (HB/RDW) ratio into the THRIVE score using the multivariable fractional polynomial (MFP) method (combined THRIVE-MFP model) compared to the THRIVE-c model. We aim to assess their added value in predicting in-hospital mortality (IHM) prognosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study from January 2015 to July 2022 examined consecutive AIS patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis. Data on THRIVE scores, 24-hour ASPECTS, and HB/RDW levels were collected upon admission. The model was constructed using logistic regression and the MFP method. The prognostic value was determined using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AuROC). Ischemic cerebral lesions within the middle cerebral artery territory were evaluated with non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) after completing 24 hours of intravenous thrombolysis (24-hour ASPECTS).

RESULTS

Among a cohort of 345 patients diagnosed with AIS who received intravenous thrombolysis, 65 individuals (18.8%) experienced IHM. The combined THRIVE-MFP model was significantly superior to the THRIVE-c model in predicting IHM (AuROC 0.980 vs. 0.876, p<0.001), 3-month mortality (AuROC 0.947 vs. 0.892, p<0.001), and 3-month poor functional outcome (AuROC 0.910 vs. 0.853, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The combined THRIVE-MFP model showed excellent predictive performance, enhancing physicians' ability to stratify patient selection for intensive neurological monitoring and guiding treatment decisions. Incorporating 24-hour ASPECTS on NCCT and HB/RDW proved valuable in mortality prediction, particularly for hospitals with limited access to advanced neuroimaging resources.

Association between haemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio at admission and all-cause mortality in adult patients with sepsis in an intensive care unit: a secondary analysis of the MIMIC-IV database

OBJECTIVE

The association between haemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio (HRR) and all-cause mortality remains poorly understood. This study aimed to examine the influence of HRR at the time of admission mortality over 1 year and 30 days in patients with sepsis.

DESIGN

This was a secondary analysis.

SETTING

This study was conducted in intensive care units (ICUs).

PARTICIPANTS

Adult patients with sepsis were identified and included from an intensive care database based on eligibility criteria.

PRIMARY OUTCOME AND MEASURE

The primary outcome was the rate of death within 1 year. The secondary outcome was the death rate within 30 days.

RESULTS

A total of 4233 patients with sepsis who met the inclusion criteria were analysed, excluding those ineligible. These participants were divided into quartiles based on their HRR at admission. The overall mortality rates at 1 year and 30 days were 42.9% and 25.5%, respectively. A significant inverse association was observed between HRR quartiles and all-cause mortality (p<0.001). Pairwise comparisons using Kaplan-Meier analysis showed significant differences in 1-year mortality rates across the quartiles. However, no significant difference was detected in 30-day mortality between the Q3 and Q4 groups (p=0.222). Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that a higher HRR at ICU admission was independently associated with reduced mortality at 1 year (HR, 0.935; 95% CI 0.913 to 0.958; p<0.001) and 30 days (HR, 0.969; 95% CI 0.939 to 0.999; p=0.043). Furthermore, restricted cubic spline models indicated a non-linear relationship between HRR and mortality at both 1 year and 30 days (p<0.001 for both).

CONCLUSIONS

This retrospective analysis demonstrated that the HRR at the time of admission was a significant prognostic marker for long-term mortality in patients with sepsis.

The Predictive Value of Hemoglobin to Red Cell Blood Distribution Width Ratio Combined with Serum Sodium for MACE of Acute Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction in Elderly Patients

Purpose

To investigate the predictive value of hemoglobin (Hb) to red blood cell distribution width (RDW) (Hb/RDW) ratio in combination with serum sodium for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in elderly acute heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction at 30 days after discharge.

Methods

130 elderly acute heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction were enrolled and followed up at 30 days after discharge. They were classified into the MACE group (n=11) and none-MACE group (n=119). On the day of admission, clinical baseline characteristics were measured and results from laboratory tests were gathered. The correlation and predictive value of Hb/RDW and serum sodium with the occurrence of MACE at 30 days after discharge in acute heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction in the elderly were analyzed.

Results

Spearman correlation analysis showed that the occurrence of MACE was negatively correlated with Hb/RDW, serum sodium (r=-0.209, r=0.291, p<0.05) and Hb/RDW (OR=0.484, 95% CI:0.254, 0.922), serum sodium (OR=0.779, 95% CI:0.646,0.939) were independent risk factors (p<0.05) analyzed by multifactorial logistic. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) for the prediction of MACE by Hb/RDW was 0.73, with an optimal threshold of 9.28, sensitivity 81.80%, specificity 70.60%, positive predictive value (PPV) 20.50%, negative predictive value (NPV) 97.70%; the AUC of serum sodium for predicting the occurrence of MACE was 0.76, with an optimal threshold of 140.35 mmol/L, sensitivity 90.90%, specificity 57.10%, PPV 16.40%, NPV 98.60%; and the AUC of Hb/RDW combined serum sodium to predict the occurrence of MACE was 0.83, with sensitivity 90.90%, specificity 78.20%, PPV 27.80% and NPV 98.90%.

Conclusion

Hb/RDW and serum sodium had negative correlation with MACE and were independent risk factors of 30-day MACE; Hb/RDW combined with serum sodium can predict 30-day MACE occurrence in elderly acute heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction.

Association of hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio and depression in older adults: A cross sectional study

BACKGROUND

The association between hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio (HRR) and the depression in old adults was not clear.

METHODS

We extracted data on depression, general characteristics, lifestyle, medical history, drug use, and blood indicators from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2018 to investigate the relationship between HRR and depression.

RESULTS

A total of 4141 individuals were evaluated, among whom 266 (6.4 %) were identified as having depression. HRR was significantly lower in the low depression group, and Spearman correlation analysis revealed an inverse association between HRR and depression scores (r = -0.148, P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression showed that HRR was associated with depression after adjusted for general characteristics, life style, medical history, drug use and blood indicators (P = 0.010). ROC analysis demonstrated that in participants with depression, the area under the curve (AUC) for HRR was 0.612, surpassing both Hb(0.586) and RDW(0.401). These findings were statistically significant (P < 0.05).

LIMITATIONS

Only participants aged 65-79 years are selected for this study and this was a cross-sectional study that can only represent an association between HRR and depression, but not a cause-and-effect relationship.

CONCLUSIONS

HRR, being more potent than Hb or RDW, emerges as an independent risk factor for depression. It has the potential to facilitate early depression detection, aiding in the prevention of clinical deterioration or relapses, and could also serve as a viable treatment target.

The combined detection of hematological indicators is used for the differential diagnosis of colorectal cancer and benign-colorectal lesions

OBJECTIVE

This article aims to investigate the clinical value of hemoglobin/red cell distribution width ratio (Hb/RDW), C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR) and plateletcrit (PCT) combined with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in colorectal cancer (CRC) auxiliary diagnosis.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed in 718 subjects (212 with CRC, 209 with benign colorectal lesions (BCL), 111 with other cancers, and 186 healthy controls).

RESULTS

The CAR, PCT, and CEA in the CRC group were higher than those in the BCL, other cancers, and the healthy control group. However, Hb/RDW in the CRC group was lower than the other three groups. Moreover, there were significant differences in Hb/RDW and CEA among different T-N-M stages (all P< 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression showed that low level of Hb/RDW and high level of CAR, CEA, PCT were risk factors for CRC, and are correlated with CRC stage. Additionally, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of Hb/RDW+CEA (AUC: 0.735), CAR+CEA (AUC: 0.748), PCT+CEA (AUC: 0.807) was larger than that of Hb/RDW (AUC: 0.503), CAR (AUC: 0.614), or PCT (AUC: 0.713) alone (all P< 0.001) in distinguishing CRC from BCL.

CONCLUSIONS

Hb/RDW, CAR, PCT, and CEA are independent risk factors for CRC. Hb/RDW, CAR, and PCT combined with CEA have significant value for auxiliary differential diagnosis of CRC and BCL.

Association of red blood cell distribution width and hemoglobin-to-RDW ratio with contrast-associated acute kidney injury in patients undergoing coronary angiography: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Inflammation contributes to poor prognosis in cardiovascular diseases. A novel biomarker for systemic inflammation that has garnered attention is the red blood cell distribution width (RDW). This study is designed to explore potential associations between RDW and hemoglobin-to-RDW ratio (HRR) with contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI).

METHODS

This study retrospectively analyzed 4054 patients undergoing coronary angiography (CAG). Linear regression models were employed to assess the relationships between RDW or HRR and the elevation of serum creatinine (Scr). The associations between RDW or HRR and CA-AKI were explored using restricted cubic spline and log-binomial regression analyses taking into account specific cutoff values and quintiles. Exploratory analyses were also conducted to further investigate these associations.

RESULTS

Among enrolled patients, the average age was 66.9 years and 34.3% were female. Notably, patients who developed CA-AKI tended to have higher RDW and lower HRR. Multivariable linear regression models demonstrated that RDW exhibited a positive association with Scr elevation (β = 2.496, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.784-3.208), while HRR displayed a negative association (β = -3.559, 95% CI = -4.243 to -2.875). Multivariable log-binomial regression models confirmed that both high RDW (RDW ≥ 13.8%) and low HRR (HRR < 8.9) were significantly associated with a higher risk of CA-AKI (RDW [≥13.8% vs. <13.8%]: relative risk [RR] = 1.540, 95% CI = 1.345-1.762; HRR [<8.9 vs. ≥8.9]: RR = 1.822, 95% CI = 1.584-2.096). Exploratory analysis determined that such associations still existed regardless of age, gender, estimated glomerular filtration rate, or anemia.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated preoperative RDW and decreased HRR were significantly associated with CA-AKI in patients undergoing CAG.

Assessing the Predictive Power of the Hemoglobin/Red Cell Distribution Width Ratio in Cancer: A Systematic Review and Future Directions

Background and Objectives: The hemoglobin (Hb)/red cell distribution width (RDW) ratio has emerged as an accessible, repeatable, and inexpensive prognostic factor that may predict survival in cancer patients. The focus of this systematic review is to investigate the prognostic role of the Hb/RDW ratio in cancer and the implications for clinical practice. Materials and Methods: A literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was performed by an independent author between 18 March and 30 March 2023 to collect relevant literature that assessed the prognostic value of the Hb/RDW ratio in cancer. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and the association of these with the Hb/RDW ratio were considered to be the main endpoints. Results: Thirteen retrospective studies, including 3818 cancer patients, were identified and involved in this review. It was observed that, when patients with a high vs. low Hb/RDW ratio were compared, those with a lower Hb/RDW ratio had significantly poorer outcomes (p < 0.05). In lung cancer patients, a one-unit increase in the Hb/RDW ratio reduces mortality by 1.6 times, whilst in esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma patients, a lower Hb/RDW ratio results in a 1.416-times greater risk of mortality. Conclusions: A low Hb/RDW ratio was associated with poor OS and disease progression in patients with cancer. This blood parameter should be considered a standard biomarker in clinical practice for predicting OS and PFS in cancer patients. Future searches will be necessary to determine and standardize the Hb/RDW cut-off value and to assess whether the Hb/RDW ratio is optimal as an independent prognostic factor or if it requires incorporation into risk assessment models for predicting outcomes in cancer patients.

Prognostic Value of Hematological Parameters in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains a significant public health concern. The variables utilized to determine appropriate treatment for this disease also represent its most unfavorable prognostic factors, with these parameters solely determined by the neoplasm and its behavior. However, a lack of well-established indices is evident in the literature that specifically relate to the patient and indicate a worse prognosis.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prognostic impact of hematological indices in patients with OSCC.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) who underwent curative-intent treatment. Treatment encompassed surgery, followed by adjuvant therapy, as necessary. Laboratory tests were conducted immediately prior to surgery, and demographic information was obtained from medical records.

RESULTS

The cohort comprised 600 patients, with 73.5% being male subjects. Adjuvant treatment was recommended for 60.3% of patients. Throughout the follow-up period, 48.8% of participants died. Univariate analysis indicated that perineural invasion, angiolymphatic invasion, pT4 tumors, lymph node metastases, extranodal extravasation, RDW > 14.3%, NLR (neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio) > 3.38, PLR (platelet-lymphocyte ratio) > 167.3, and SII (systemic inflammatory/immune response index) > 416.1 were factors associated with increased mortality. These threshold values were established through ROC curve analysis. In the multivariate analysis, angiolymphatic invasion (HR = 1.43; 95% CI: 1.076-1.925; p = 0.014), pT4a/b tumors (HR = 1.761; 95% CI: 1.327-2.337; p < 0.001), extranodal extravasation (HR = 1.420; 95% CI: 1.047-1.926; p = 0.024), and RDW (HR = 1.541; 95% CI: 1.153-2.056; p = 0.003) were identified as independent risk factors for decreased overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

RDW > 14.3% was proven to be a reliable parameter for assessing overall survival in patients with OSCC. Further studies are required to evaluate the clinical applicability of other hematological indices.

A dynamic nomogram integrated with blood inflammation markers for predicting overall survival in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma

Background

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a relatively rare disease with a poor prognosis. A growing body of evidence demonstrates that inflammation and the inflammatory microenvironment play a crucial role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Our aim was to evaluate the prognostic value of blood inflammation markers and develop a prediction model that incorporates inflammation markers in order to predict overall survival (OS) of UTUC.

Methods

We included 304 localized UTUC patients from two medical institutions who had undergone radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) (167 in the training cohort, 137 in the validation cohort). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to screen the prognostic factors, and a nomogram and a web-based calculator were generated based on these predictors. The Harrell's concordance index (C-index), the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate the performance of the nomogram.

Results

Independent predictors incorporated in the nomogram were pathological stage, surgical margin, albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR), and hemoglobin-to-red cell distribution width ratio (HRR). The c-index value was 0.726 in the training cohort and 0.761 in the validation cohort. The area under the ROC of the nomogram at 1-, 3- and 5-year in the training and validation sets were 0.765, 0.755, 0.763, and 0.791, 0.833, 0.802, respectively. Both the internal and external validation calibration plots showed a subtle distinction between the predicted and the actual probabilities. And it appears to provide incremental benefits for clinical decision-making in comparison to the American Joint Committee of Cancer (AJCC) staging system.

Conclusions

In patients with UTUC after RNU, lower preoperative AGR and HRR were independent predictors of inferior survival. In addition, we created a novel blood inflammation marker-based dynamic nomogram that may be useful for surgeons or oncologists in risk stratification and patient selection for more intensive therapy and closer follow-up.

Lower haemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio is independently associated with frailty in community-dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

The importance of blood cell markers in frailty has been studied. However, research on haemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio (HRR) and frailty in older persons is still limited. We investigated the association between HRR and frailty in older adults.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional population-based study.

SETTING

Community-dwelling older adults older than 65 years were recruited from September 2021 to December 2021.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 1296 community-dwelling older adults (age ≥65 years) in Wuhan were included in the study.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The main outcome was the presence of frailty. The Fried Frailty Phenotype Scale was used to evaluate the frailty status of the participants. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the relationship between HRR and frailty.

RESULTS

A total of 1296 (564 men) older adults were included in this cross-sectional study. Their mean age was 70.89±4.85 years. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that HRR is a good predictor of frailty in older people, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.802 (95% CI: 0.755 to 0.849), and the highest sensitivity was 84.5% and the specificity was 61.9% with the optimal critical values 9.97 (p<0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that lower HRR (<9.97) (OR: 3.419, 1.679 to 6.964, p=0.001) is independently associated with frailty in older people, even after adjusting confounding factors.

CONCLUSION

Lower HRR is closely associated with an increased risk of frailty in older people. Lower HRR may be an independent risk factor for frailty in community-dwelling older adults.

Association between hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio and hospital mortality in patients with non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage

Background

In patients with ischemic stroke, low hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio (HRR) was associated with an increased risk of mortality. However, it was unknown in the non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) population. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between baseline HRR and in-hospital mortality in patients with non-traumatic SAH.

Methods

Non-traumatic SAH patients were screened out of the Medical Information Mart for Intensive IV (MIMIC-IV) database between 2008 and 2019. The Cox proportional hazard regression models were utilized to analyze the association between baseline HRR and in-hospital mortality. Restricted cubic splines (RCS) analysis was utilized to determine the relationship curve between hospital mortality and the HRR level and examine the threshold saturation effect. We further applied Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis to examine the consistency of these correlations. The interaction test was used to identify subgroups with differences.

Results

A total of 842 patients were included in this retrospective cohort study. Compared with individuals with lower HRR Q1 ( ≤ 7.85), the adjusted HR values in Q2 (7.86-9.15), Q3 (9.16-10.16), and Q4 (≥10.17) were 0.574 (95% CI: 0.368-0.896, p = 0.015), 0.555 (95% CI: 0.346-0.890, p = 0.016), and 0.625 (95% CI: 0.394-0.991, p = 0.045), respectively. The association between the HRR level and in-hospital mortality exhibited a non-linear relationship (p < 0.05). The threshold inflection point value of 9.50 was calculated using RCS analysis. When the HHR level was lower than 9.50, the risk of in-hospital mortality rate decreased with an adjusted HR of 0.79 (95% CI: 0.70-0.90, p = 0.0003). When the HRR level was higher than 9.50, the risk of in-hospital mortality almost hardly increased with the increase in the HRR level (adjusted HR = 1.18, 95% CI: 0.91-1.53, p = 0.2158). K-M analysis showed that patients with low HRR levels had significantly higher in-hospital mortality (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

There was a non-linear connection between the baseline HRR level and in-hospital mortality. A low level of HRR could increase the risk of death in participants with non-traumatic SAH.

A New Prognostic Parameter Associated With Recurrence in Patients With Nasopharyngeal Cancer Treated With Chemoradiotherapy: The Ratio of the Hemoglobin-to-Red Cell Distribution Width

INTRODUCTION

This study aims to investigate the prognostic significance of the pre-treatment hemoglobin-red blood cell distribution width (RDW) ratio (HRR) in terms of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal cancer (LANC) treated with chemoradiotherapy.

METHODS

Patients with LANC who attended the oncology clinic between October 2010 and June 2020 were retrospectively screened. HRR was calculated as hemoglobin (g/dL) divided by the RDW (%). Patients were assigned to either the low HRR group or the high HRR group.

RESULTS

A total of 102 patients were included in the study. The cut-off value for HRR was taken as 0.97. Between the low and high HRR groups, mean age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance score, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), albumin and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, weight loss at diagnosis, and recurrence and metastasis rate were significantly different. In the low HRR group, OS and DFS were 44.4 (95% CI: 4.9-83.8) and 15.7 months (95% CI: 0.1-36.2), respectively, but could not be reached in the high HRR group (p<0.001). In the multivariate analysis, low HRR was shown to be an independent factor in terms of both OS (p=0.004, hazard ratio (HR)=3.07, 95% CI: 1.444-6.529) and DFS (p<0.001, HR=3.94, 95% CI: 1.883-8.244).

CONCLUSION

This is the first study showing that HRR is an independent prognostic marker for OS and DFS in patients with LANC treated with chemoradiotherapy. Thus, HRR can be used as an easily applicable, inexpensive marker in clinical practice in this patient group.

Hemoglobin/Red Cell Distribution width Ratio (HRR): A Novel and Promising Red Cell Parameter in Ductal Closure

BACKGROUND

It is still unclear how effective hematological parameters are in the closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

OBJECTIVES

The primary aim of our study is to investigate the effect of hemoglobin (HB)-to-red cell distribution width (RDW) ratio (HRR) on the closure of PDA.

METHODS

Premature babies with very low birth weight (VLBW: <1500 g) and <32 gestational weeks were included in the study, and all data were recorded retrospectively. Demographic characteristics, clinical results, red cell parameters, and HRR and their ratios were compared between hemodynamically significant PDA (hsPDA) and non-hsPDA groups. All results were statically analyzed, and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

A total of 677 premature babies, 269 in the hsPDA group and 408 in the non-hsPDA group, were included in the study. Hemoglobin (HB), hematocrit (HCT), mean cell volume (MCV), red blood cell (RBC), red cell distribution width (RDW), mean platelet volume (MPV), MCV/RBC ratio, HB/RBC ratio, RDW/RBC ratio, and RDW/MPV ratio were found to be similar between hsPDA and non-hsPDA groups, (p>0.05). HRR was found to be significantly lower in the hsPDA group [median (Quartile 1 (Q1) - Q3) (Q1 - Q3): 0.93 (0.8-1.0)] compared to non-hsPDA [median ( Q1 - Q3): 1.07 (1.0-1.2)] (p<0.001). The AUC for the diagnostic value of HRR in hsPDA was 0.816, and the cutoff value was ≤0.98 (p<0.001, 95% [CI]: 0.785-0.845, sensitivity: 90%, specificity: 92%).

CONCLUSIONS

HRR value was found to be both an effective and powerful parameter in diagnosing hsPDA.

Association of Hemoglobin to Red Blood Cell Distribution Width-Standard Deviation (RDW-SD) Ratio and 3-Month Readmission in Elderly Chinese Patients with Heart Failure: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Purpose

Hemoglobin (Hb) and red blood cell distribution width-standard deviation (RDW-SD) have clinical significance in the prognosis of heart failure (HF). Little is known regarding the prognostic value of the Hb/RDW-SD ratio in patients with HF. This study sought to investigate the association between Hb/RDW-SD ratio and HF 3-month readmission in Chinese elderly patients.

Patients and Methods

The present study was a retrospective cohort study. A total of 1816 HF patients were extracted from the Chinese HF database. A generalized linear model was used to explore the association between Hb/RDW-SD and 3-month readmission in HF. The generalized additive model was used to explore the nonlinear relationship, and a two-piecewise linear regression model was used to find the inflection point. Subgroup analysis explored interactions and whether each subgroup was consistent with the primary outcome direction.

Results

Result showed Hb/RDW-SD was negatively associated with HF 3-month readmission (OR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.55 to 0.89, P = 0.0031). A non-linear relationship was detected between Hb/RDW-SD and HF 3-month readmission with two inflection points (1.78 and 2.17). Both Hb/RDW-SD < 1.78 and Hb/RDW-SD > 2.17 showed a significant correlation between them, with corresponding effect values of (OR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.17 to 0.87, P = 0.0209) and (OR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.27 to 0.71, P = 0.0007), respectively.

Conclusion

Hb/RDW-SD is negatively associated with HF 3-month readmission. The relationship between Hb/RDW-SD and HF 3-month readmission is also non-linear. Both Hb/RDW-SD < 1.78 and Hb/RDW-SD > 2.17 were strong negatively associated with HF 3-month readmission.

The Hemoglobin-to-Red Cell Distribution Width Ratio to Predict All-Cause Mortality in Patients with Sepsis-Associated Encephalopathy in the MIMIC-IV Database

OBJECTIVE

The hemoglobin-to-red cell distribution width ratio (HRR) is associated with the prognosis of sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE). This study aimed to determine the relationship between HRR and SAE and to clarify the possible mechanism of HRR as a prognostic factor for SAE.

METHODS

A multivariate Cox proportional-hazards regression model was used to assess the correlation between HRR and all-cause mortality. Piecewise linear regression and smooth-curve Cox proportional-hazards regression models were used to observe whether there was a nonlinear relationship between HRR and all-cause mortality in SAE.

RESULTS

This study included 8853 patients with SAE. A nonlinear relationship between HRR and SAE was observed through a two-segment regression model. The left inflection point for the HRR threshold was calculated to be 15.54, which was negatively correlated with all-cause mortality (HR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.76-0.91, p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses revealed significant interactions between white blood cell count, glucose, and patients who received dialysis and HRR. The inverse correlation between HRR and SAE was more pronounced in patients who did not receive vasopressin (HR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.87-0.96, p < 0.001) than in those who did receive vasopressin (HR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.88-1.02, p=0.152) and was significantly more pronounced in patients without myocardial infarction (HR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.88-0.96, p < 0.001) than in those with myocardial infarction (HR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.87-1.02, p < 0.114).

CONCLUSION

This large retrospective study found a nonlinear relationship between all-cause mortality and HRR in patients with SAE in intensive care units, with low HRR being inversely associated with increased all-cause mortality in patients with SAE.

Quantitative Metabolomics to Explore the Role of Plasma Polyamines in Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the major public health and socio-economic problems, which management demands the development of non-invasive screening tests. Assessment of circulating polyamines could be a valuable tool, although analytical problems still preclude its clinical practice. We exploited ultra-high-resolution liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, as a highly sensitive and innovative method, to profile eleven polyamines, including spermine and spermidine with their acetylated forms. These data together with an evaluation of the inflammatory indexes might represent suitable biomarkers for the identification of CRC patients. The statistical models revealed good discrimination in distinguishing CRC patients from healthy subjects. The plasma assessment of ornithine and acetylspermine, as well as lymphocyte/platelet ratio, revealed helpful information on the progression of CRC. The combined profiles of circulating polyamines and inflammatory indexes, together with the application of an innovative technology, could represent a valuable tool for discriminating patients from different clinical groups.

Red Cell Distribution Width and Gallbladder Cancer: Is It Really Useful?

PURPOSE

The data on the prognostic significance of red cell distribution width (RDW) in gallbladder cancers is sparse, especially in the potentially resectable cohort of patients. The aim was to assess the prognostic significance of RDW in gallbladder cancer patients undergoing surgery.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained database of gallbladder cancer patients undergoing surgery at a tertiary cancer institute from 2010 till 2018. Baseline values were collected. Patients were grouped as per the median RDW value and compared. Survival analysis was done using the Kaplan Meier method.

RESULTS

A total of 605 patients were included. The median follow up period was 23 months (range: 6-120 months). The median value of RDW was 14. Comparison between RDW > 14 and RDW < 14 groups showed no difference in outcomes. RDW did not predict overall survival or recurrences. However, in combined stages II and III, a statistically significant improvement in OS and DFS (p < 0.001) was noted in the RDW < 14 group.

CONCLUSION

RDW did not predict recurrence or survival in potentially resectable gallbladder cancer patients. However, in the subset of stages II and III in combination, lower RDW value was associated with better outcomes. More prospective studies are needed to conclusively establish the prognostic value of RDW.

Stage-Specific Survival From Esophageal Cancer in China and Implications for Control Strategies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses

Background and Aims

Esophageal cancer claims more than 500,000 deaths worldwide, with half occurring in China. We aimed to synthesize existing evidence on stage-specific survival from this cancer in China to inform cancer control strategies.

Methods

English and Chinese literature databases were systematically searched to identify original research published up to May 31, 2019 that reported stage-specific survival from esophageal cancer in China. Two meta-analyses were performed using random-effects models to summarize stage-specific survival differences on relative and absolute scales. The number of esophageal cancer deaths that might have been prevented by early detection in China, in 2018, was estimated assuming 2 different downstaging scenarios.

Results

One hundred fifty eligible studies were identified, 97 had non-overlapping study populations (83,063 participants), 47 were included in the meta-analysis of hazard ratios, and 26 in the meta-analysis of survival probabilities. Late-stage (III-IV) was associated with 92% higher hazard of death compared with early-stage (0-II) (95% confidence interval 1.62-2.28), corresponding to an absolute 5-year survival difference of 31.2% (29.9%-32.4%). In all, 5.2% esophageal cancer deaths could have been prevented in China, in 2018, if the observed stage distribution at diagnosis (∼50% early-stage) was shifted to the real-life conditions of a population-based endoscopic screening program (∼60% early-stage) and 26.9% if shifted to that observed in the controlled setting of a randomized trial (∼90% early-stage).

Conclusion

Shifting downwards the stage distribution of esophageal cancer through screening would bring moderate reductions in mortality from the disease. Treatment improvements for early-stage patients are needed to reduce further mortality from this cancer.

Relationship between certain hematological parameters and risk of breast cancer

Aim: To explore the association between preoperative hemoglobin-to-red cell distribution width ratio (HRR), platelet-to-monocyte ratio or monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein ratio and risk of breast cancer. Materials & methods: The clinical data of 226 patients with breast cancer were retrospectively analyzed and compared with 199 healthy controls by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that HRR (p < 0.001) and monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein ratio (p < 0.001) were independent predictors of breast cancer and lower HRR was associated with longer hospitalization, larger red cell distribution width value and lower hemoglobin level (p < 0.05). Conclusion: A significant association was found between HRR and clinical characteristics in breast cancer patients. Therefore, HRR is expected to become a novel and promising predictor of breast cancer.

A Novel Blood Inflammatory Indicator for Predicting Deterioration Risk of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) has a relatively higher incidence in aging people due to walking problems. Cranial computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging provide the standard diagnostic tool to identify intracranial complications in patients with mTBI. However, it is still necessary to further explore blood biomarkers for evaluating the deterioration risk at the early stage of mTBI to improve medical decision-making in the emergency department. The activation of the inflammatory response is one of the main pathological mechanisms leading to unfavorable outcomes of mTBI. As complete blood count (CBC) analysis is the most extensively used laboratory test in practice, we extracted clinical data of 994 patients with mTBI from two large clinical cohorts (MIMIC-IV and eICU-CRD) and selected inflammation-related indicators from CBC analysis to investigate their relationship with the deterioration after mTBI. The combinatorial indices neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), red cell distribution width-to-platelet ratio (RPR), and NLR times RPR (NLTRP) were supposed to be potential risk predictors, and the data from the above cohorts were integratively analyzed using our previously reported method named MeDICS. We found that NLR, RPR, and NLTRP levels were higher among deteriorated patients than non-deteriorated patients with mTBI. Besides, high NLTRP was associated with increased deterioration risk, with the odds ratio increasing from NLTRP of 1–2 (2.69, 1.48–4.89) to &gt; 2 (4.44, 1.51–13.08), using NLTRP of 0–1 as the reference. NLTRP had a moderately good prognostic performance with an area under the ROC curve of 0.7554 and a higher prediction value than both NLR and RPR, indicated by the integrated discrimination improvement index. The decision curve analysis also showed greater clinical benefits of NLTRP than NLR and RPR in a large range of threshold probabilities. Subgroup analysis further suggested that NLTRP is an independent risk factor for the deterioration after mTBI. In addition, in vivo experiments confirmed the association between NLTRP and neural/systemic inflammatory response after mTBI, which emphasized the importance of controlling inflammation in clinical treatment. Consequently, NLTRP is a promising biomarker for the deterioration risk of mTBI. It can be used in resource-limited settings, thus being proposed as a routinely available tool at all levels of the medical system.

Intensity-modulated radiotherapy with more than 60 Gy improved the survival of inoperable patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: A population-based real-world study

Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) is widely applied during the treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), but the optimal radiation dose still lacks a consensus. The aim of this study was to explore the optimal radiation dose for inoperable locally advanced ESCC patients treated with IMRT in a real-world clinical setting.A total of 90 inoperable ESCC patients with locally advanced stages of II-IVA treated with IMRT in our institute between February 1, 2014 and June 30, 2019 were included in this retrospective study. Sixty patients had received >60 Gy (high dose group) and 30 patients had received ≤60 Gy (low dose group). The median radiation dose was 66 Gy (range: 61-70 Gy) and 50.2 Gy (range: 40-60 Gy), respectively. Concurrent chemotherapies were platinum-based regimens.The median progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of all patients were 7.6 and 14.1 months, respectively. Patients in the high dose group exhibited a significantly better PFS (1-year PFS 34.6% vs 22.8%; 2-year PFS 11.9% vs 0%, P = .008) and OS (1-year OS 57.5% vs 39.5%; 2-year OS 31.4% vs 15.8%, P = .007). The median PFS in the high and low dose groups were 8.1 and 6.1 months, and the median OS were 15.4 and 8.5 months, respectively. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that radiation dose (>60 Gy vs ≤60 Gy) was independently prognostic factor for OS (HR: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.22-0.89; P = .021), but not for PFS (HR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.31-1.02; P = .058). There was no significant difference in treatment-related toxicities of grade ≥3 between the 2 groups (P = .402).This retrospective study confirmed that higher radiation dose (>60 Gy) resulted in better survival outcomes for inoperable patients with locally advanced ESCC treated with IMRT.

Prognostic value of hemoglobin-to-red cell distribution width ratio in cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: The hemoglobin-to-red cell distribution width ratio (HRR) has emerged as a novel integrative biomarker predictive of overall and disease-free survival in cancer patients. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of HRR in the cancer population. Methods: A literature search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE from inception to 1 July 2021, to collect studies assessing the prognostic value of HRR in cancer patients. The primary and secondary end points were all-cause mortality and occurrence of disease progression or relapse, respectively. A meta-analytic approach was employed to estimate the pooled hazard ratio with 95% CI by fitting random-effects models. Results: A total of 11 retrospective cohort studies representing 2985 cancer patients were included. Compared with patients with high HRR, patients with low HRR had a twofold risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio: 2.29; 95% CI: 1.76-2.98; p < 0.0001). There was substantial heterogeneity in the association of HRR with mortality across the studies (I²: 66.8%; 95% CI: 35.3-82.9%; p = 0.0014). Similarly, low HRR was associated with a twofold risk of disease progression or relapse (hazard ratio: 2.19; 95% CI: 1.74-2.76; p < 0.0001). No significant heterogeneity was observed (I²: 16.8%; 95% CI: 0.0-60.7%; p = 0.30). Conclusion: Low HRR was associated with mortality and disease progression or relapse in patients with cancer. Further studies are required to standardize the HRR cutoff value and investigate whether HRR can be incorporated into risk assessment models for predicting adverse prognosis in cancer patients.

Red Blood Cell Distribution Width Is Associated with All-cause Mortality but Not Adverse Cancer-specific Outcomes in Men with Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer Treated with Radical Prostatectomy: Findings Based on a Multicenter Shared Equal Access Regional Cancer Hospital Registry

BACKGROUND

Recent reports with a small number of patients showed an association of red blood cell distribution width (RDW) with prostate cancer (PCa) progression.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether preoperative RDW can serve as a prognostic marker in patients with PCa undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP) in a large, equal access, and diverse patient cohort.

DESIGN SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Data were retrospectively collected on 4756 men treated with RP at eight Veteran Affairs medical centers within the Shared Equal Access Regional Cancer Hospital (SEARCH) database from 1999 through 2017.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Biochemical recurrence (BCR) was the primary outcome, while metastasis, all-cause mortality (ACM), and prostate cancer-specific mortality (PCSM) were secondary outcomes.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

The mean (standard deviation) age was 62 yr (6.1), and 1589 (33%) men were black. The median (interquartile range) follow-up was 82 mo (46-127). Preoperative RDW either as a continuous variable or when stratified by quartiles was not associated with BCR. Likewise, preoperative RDW was not associated with metastases or PCSM. However, higher RDW was significantly associated with higher ACM, both as a continuous variable (p < 0.001) and when stratified by quartiles in univariable and multivariable models (p < 0.001). RDW was found to be correlated with D'Amico risk classification of PCa. Study limitations include its retrospective nature and lack of data regarding advanced PCa.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative RDW was not associated with PCa outcomes in men treated with RP but was associated with ACM. While RDW may be a biomarker of overall health, it is not a biomarker for PCa outcomes. These results emphasize the importance of diverse, larger sized studies in genitourinary cancer research.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Prostate cancer includes a wide spectrum of diseases with different genetic, pathological, and oncological behaviors. Red blood cell distribution width is helpful in predicting the overall survival for a localized prostate cancer patient, and hence, it can help inform personalized treatment decisions and operative care.

Hemoglobin-to-Red-Cell Distribution Width Ratio Is a Novel Predictor of Long-Term Patient Outcomes After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

The hemoglobin level and red cell distribution width (RDW) have been linked to the prognosis of coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CAHD). However, the relationship between the ratio of hemoglobin to the RDW (HRR) and clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is not known. Here, we explored the impact of the HRR on clinical outcomes after PCI.

METHODS

In our study, we selected 6,046 CAHD patients with PCI hospitalized in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from 2008 to 2016. The patients were grouped according to their HRR ratio: group A (HRR < 10.25, n = 2,344) and group B (HRR ≥ 10.25, n = 3,702). The difference in clinical outcomes between the two groups was compared. Patients were followed up for 35.9 ± 22.6 months.

RESULTS

Three hundred nine patients died during follow-up. These included 166 patients (7.1%) in the HRR < 10.25 group and 143 patients (3.9%) in the HRR ≥ 10.25 group (P < 0.001). The incidences of cardiogenic death (5.7 vs. 3.2%) and major cardiovascular adverse events (16.5 vs. 12.9%) also differed significantly between the groups (both Ps < 0.001). Analysis using the multivariate Cox proportional hazard model found a significant association between a decreased HRR and post-PCI mortality (all-cause death, adjusted HR: 1.479, 95% CI: 1.156-1.893, p = 0.002; cardiac death, adjusted HR: 1.470, 95% CI: 1.116-1.936, p = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

The HRR is predictive of post-PCI mortality among CAHD patients.

Low Hemoglobin-to-Red Cell Distribution Width Ratio Is Associated with Mortality in Patients with HBV-Related Decompensated Cirrhosis

Background

The prognostic role of hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio (HRR) in HBV-related decompensated cirrhosis (HBV-DeCi) has not been established. The present study is aimed at determining the potential of HRR as a predictive factor for the prognosis of HBV-DeCi patients.

Methods

The study included 177 HBV-DeCi patients. The clinical outcome was death at 30 days. Multivariate regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were applied to assess the predictive value of HRR for poor outcomes.

Results

A total of 26 patients (14.7%) had died by 30 days. Patients with unfavorable outcomes had lower HRR than patients with favorable outcomes. Multivariate analysis revealed that HRR and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score were independently associated with poor outcomes. Combination of HRR and MELD score may improve prognostic accuracy in HBV-DeCi.

Conclusions

The present findings indicate that low HRR may be a promising predictor for mortality in HBV-DeCi patients.

The Ratio of Hemoglobin to Red Cell Distribution Width: A Strong Predictor of Clinical Outcome in Patients with Heart Failure

Background: Hemoglobin (Hb) is a standard and widely available clinical parameter that predicts clinical outcomes in heart failure (HF) patients. Red cell distribution width (RDW) is also a routinely measured clinical parameter that is predictive of clinical outcomes in HF. The ratio between Hb and RDW has yet to be evaluated in HF. Methods: We evaluated the predictive value of the Hb/RDW ratio on clinical outcomes in patients with HF. All patients diagnosed with chronic HF at a health maintenance organization were evaluated for Hb/RDW ratio and followed for cardiac-related hospitalizations and death. Results: The study cohort included 6888 HF patients. The mean Hb/RDW ratio was 0.85 ± 0.18; median was 0.85 (interquartile range 0.72–0.98). Patients with a lower Hb/RDW ratio were more likely to be women and had more comorbidities. The overall two year-mortality rate was 23.2%. Decreasing quantiles of the Hb/RDW ratio were associated with reduced survival rates and reduced event-free survival from death or cardiovascular-hospitalizations. Multivariable Cox regression analysis after adjustment for significant predictors demonstrated that low Hb/RDW ratio was a significant predictor of mortality, with a graded increased risk as Hb/RDW ratio decreased. Lower Hb/RDW ratio was also a significant independent predictor of the combined endpoint of death or cardiovascular hospitalizations. A sensitivity analysis evaluating Hb/RDW ratio as a continuous parameter using restricted cubic splines demonstrated a continuous increase in the mortality risk with decreasing Hb/RDW ratio, p < 0.0001 for the linear model. Conclusions: Hb/RDW ratio is a significant prognostic tool for predicting HF mortality and cardiovascular hospitalizations.

Preoperative hemoglobin-to-red cell distribution width ratio as a prognostic factor in pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma: a retrospective cohort study

Background

The hemoglobin (Hgb)/red cell distribution width (RDW) ratio (HRR) is a simple prognostic marker for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but no data are available for pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (PLCNEC). This study aimed to assess the potential prognostic role of preoperative HRR in PLCNEC.

Methods

This single-center retrospective study included patients with PLCNEC who underwent surgery at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital from January 2012 to August 2016. The follow-up was censored in August 2020. The participants were grouped as low/high HRR according to their optimal value calculated using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Univariable and multivariable Cox analysis were performed to identify the risk factors for overall survival (OS).

Results

A total of 80 patients with PLCNEC were included. The optimal cutoff values were 0.969 for HRR. Compared with the high HRR group, the low HRR group had a lower mean Hgb (12.1 vs. 14.1 g/dL, P<0.001), lower mean albumin-globulin ratio (AGR) (1.4 vs. 1.6, P=0.017), and higher median RDW (14.5% vs. 12.9%, P<0.001). The median OS was 30.0 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 13.4 to 46.5 months]. Participants in the low HRR group exhibited a poorer OS than those with high HRR (20.3 months, 95% CI: 14.5 to 26.1 months vs. not reached, P<0.001). The multivariable analysis showed that low HRR was significantly associated with poor OS [hazard ratio (HR) =3.16, 95% CI: 1.69 to 5.93, P<0.001].

Conclusions

Low HRR is associated with poor OS in patients with PLCNEC and can be used as an inexpensive prognostic factor in patients undergoing PLCNEC resection.

The advanced lung cancer inflammation index predicts outcomes of patients with non-small cell lung cancer following video-assisted thoracic surgery

OBJECTIVE

The advanced lung cancer inflammation index (ALI) predicts overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced lung cancer. However, few studies have tested ALI's prognostic effect in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) following video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), especially patients at stage III. This study investigated the relationship between ALI and outcomes of patients with NSCLC following VATS.

METHODS

We retrospectively examined 339 patients with NSCLC who underwent VATS at Hebei General Hospital, China. Preoperative clinical and laboratory parameters were collected and analyzed. Optimal cutoff values of potential prognostic factors, including ALI, were determined. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to determine each factor's prognostic value.

RESULTS

The median OS was 31 months. The optimal cutoff value for ALI was 41.20. Patients with high ALI (≥41.20) displayed increased OS (33.87 vs. 30.24 months), higher survival rates, and milder clinical characteristics. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed a significant correlation between ALI and the prognosis of patients with NSCLC, including those at stage IIIA, who underwent VATS.

CONCLUSIONS

Low ALI correlated with poor outcomes in patients with NSCLC following VATS. Preoperative ALI might be a potential prognostic biomarker for patients with NSCLC following VATS, including patients at stage IIIA.

Correlation Analysis of Hemoglobin-to-Red Blood Cell Distribution Width Ratio and Frailty in Elderly Patients With Coronary Heart Disease

Background: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a common chronic disease in the elderly. Frailty can accelerate the development of CHD and lead to adverse health outcomes. Risk prediction and decision-making for frailty are crucial. The peripheral hemoglobin-to-red blood cell distribution width ratio (HRR) is a novel biomarker of inflammation. Our purpose was to explore the correlation between HRR and frailty in elderly patients with CHD.

Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated 245 Chinese hospitalized patients with CHD. Blood parameters measured upon admission were obtained via the hospital electronic information medical record system. The Fried Frailty Phenotype Scale was used to evaluate the frailty status of the participants. The Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off values of HRR. We used univariate analysis to examine the potential factors affecting frailty. Kendall's tau-b grade correlation was used to analyze the correlation between HRR and frailty. The ordered logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between HRR and frailty.

Results: A total of 233 elderly patients with CHD were included in our study. Among the patients, 33.48% (78) were in a state of frailty. The optimal cut-off values of HRR was 9.76. The area under the curve (AUC) for HRR in the frailty patients was 0.652, exceed Hb (AUC = 0.618) and RDW (AUC = 0.650). Kendall's tau-b grade correlation analysis showed that HRR (K = −0.296, P < 0.001) was negatively correlated with frailty. The ordered logistic regression analysis determined that lower HRR was associated with frailty (P < 0.05) after adjusted for age, body mass index, number of drugs, comorbidity index, heart failure, red blood cells, albumin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Conclusion: Lower HRR is an independent risk factor for frailty in elderly hospitalized patients with CHD. HRR was a more powerful prognostic indicator for frailty than either Hb or RDW alone. Clinicians should focus on timely identification of the risk of frailty in order to improve patient quality of life and to reduce the risk of complications.

Prognostic significance of hemoglobin-to-red cell distribution width ratio in patients with metastatic renal cancer

The aim of the current research was to investigate the prognostic significance of pretreatment hemoglobin-to-red cell distribution width ratio (HRR) in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, systemic immune-inflammation index, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) and HRR were analyzed retrospectively to assess their prognostic value using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression analysis in 198 patients with RCC. High HRR (0.72) and high LMR (2.43) were found to be associated with longer progression-free survival and overall survival. A multivariate analysis identified International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium prognostic score, tumor stage, node stage, LMR and HRR as independent prognostic factors for progression-free survival, as well as International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium score, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and HRR for overall survival. HRR is a an independent prognostic parameter predicting the progression and survival of patients with RCC.