Red blood cell distribution width in patients with cryptogenic stroke

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Hematology
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• The association between red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and cryptogenic stroke (CS) remains unexplored.
• Investigating novel biomarkers for cryptogenic stroke risk is crucial for improved patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential association between RDW and cryptogenic stroke (CS).
• To determine if RDW is an independent predictor of cryptogenic stroke.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 163 patients with CS and 186 healthy controls.
• Evaluation of hematological parameters, including RDW, leukocytes, and hemoglobin, alongside clinical factors like BMI and lipid profiles.
• Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to adjust for potential confounding variables.

Main Results:

• Patients with CS exhibited significantly higher RDW, leukocyte counts, and BMI compared to controls.
• Elevated RDW (>14%) was identified as an independent predictor of CS risk.
• The association between RDW and CS persisted even after excluding anemic individuals and adjusting for confounders.

Conclusions:

• RDW, particularly levels above 14%, significantly increases the risk of cryptogenic stroke.
• This association is independent of anemia, inflammation, and lipid profiles, suggesting RDW as a valuable prognostic marker.
• Higher RDW may serve as a novel, easily accessible biomarker for cryptogenic stroke risk stratification.