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Updated: Mar 1, 2026
Rapid Molecular Detection and Differentiation of Influenza Viruses A and B
Published on: January 30, 2017
The association between red cell distribution width and poor outcomes in hospitalized patients with influenza
Guy Topaz1, Yona Kitay-Cohen1, Lee Peled1
1Department of Internal Medicine "C", Meir Hospital, Kfar-Saba and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Purpose:
To examine an association between red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and the prognosis of influenza patients.
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients hospitalized with influenza during 2012-2015 in the internal medicine wards of one medical center. RDW measurements during hospitalization were analyzed. Primary outcome was complicated hospitalization (defined as at least one of: length of stay ≥7days, need for mechanical ventilation, septic shock, transfer to intensive-care, or 30-day mortality). Secondary outcome was 30-day mortality.
Results:
153 patients were included, mean age: 62.5±1, 82 (54%) male; 84 (55%) had a high RDW value (>14.5%) during hospitalization. Patients with high and low RDW (≤14.5%) had similar age and comorbidity profiles, but those with high RDW had lower hemoglobin and higher creatinine levels. Patients with high RDW had a higher rate of complicated hospitalization (32.5% vs. 10.3%, p<0.01) and a trend for increased 30-day mortality. In a multivariate regression model, high RDW was a predictor of complicated hospitalization (OR 5.03, 95% CI 1.81-13.93, p<0.01). Each 1-point increase in RDW was associated with a 29% increase in the risk for the primary outcome.
Conclusion:
RDW>14.5% was a predictor of severe hospital complications in patients with influenza.
