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Red blood cell distribution width: A simple parameter with multiple clinical applications
Gian Luca Salvagno1, Fabian Sanchis-Gomar, Alessandra Picanza
1Clinical Chemistry Section, Department of Life and Reproductive Sciences, Academic Hospital of Verona , Verona , Italy .
Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences
|December 24, 2014
Summary
The red blood cell distribution width (RDW) measures red blood cell size variation. An elevated RDW indicates health issues beyond anemia, serving as a significant predictor of mortality.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Clinical Pathology
- Biomarker Research
Background:
- Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) traditionally aids in anemia diagnosis.
- Recent studies link elevated RDW to various non-anemic conditions like cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes.
- RDW reflects erythrocyte volume heterogeneity (anisocytosis).
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide general information on RDW assessment.
- To review RDW's implications in health and disease.
- To explore potential clinical applications of RDW beyond anemia diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on RDW.
- Analysis of RDW's role in differential diagnosis of anemias.
- Exploration of RDW's association with various pathological conditions.
Main Results:
- Increased RDW is common in numerous disorders, not just anemias.
- Elevated RDW has prognostic value and is an independent risk factor for mortality.
- RDW deregulation indicates erythrocyte homeostasis imbalance due to metabolic abnormalities.
Conclusions:
- RDW assessment should extend beyond anemia diagnosis.
- Increased RDW signifies underlying metabolic issues affecting red blood cells.
- RDW holds potential for broader clinical applications and risk stratification.
