Red Cell Distribution Width and Its Association With Inflammatory Burden and Proteinuria in Kidney Transplant...

This study aimed to investigate whether red cell distribution width can serve as an indicator of subclinical inflammation in kidney transplant recipients by examining its relationship with inflammatory markers, renal functional parameters, bone mineral metabolism, and urinary protein excretion.

We retrospective examined 120 adult kidney transplant recipients followed at our center. We obtained demographic characteristics, immunosuppressive regimens, and laboratory values from hospital records. Biochemical measurements included complete blood count, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, albumin, electrolytes, calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, 25 -hydroxyvitamin D, glycosylated hemoglobin, high-sensitivity C -reactive protein, and urine protein -to -creatinine ratio. We categorized patients into 2 groups by mean value of red cell distribution width ( <14.5 vs ≥14.5 ). We analyzed correlations between red cell distribution width and laboratory parameters using appropriate statistical methods. P < .05 was considered significant.

Mean age of kidney transplant recipients was 40.9 years, and 52 were women. Overall mean red cell distribution width value was 14.5. Red cell distribution width showed significant positive correlations with parathyroid hormone (r = 0.305; P = .001 ), high -sensitivity C -reactive protein (r = 0.189, P = 0.037 ), and glycosylated hemoglobin (r = 0.192, P = .034 ) and a borderline correlation with urine protein -to -creatinine ratio (r = 0.177; P = .052 ). Patients with red cell distribution width ≥14.5 had higher parathyroid hormone, high -sensitivity C -reactive protein, and urine protein -to -creatinine ratio values and lower 25 -hydroxyvitamin D levels compared with those with red cell distribution width <14.5 (all P < .01 ).

Increased red cell distribution width values in stable kidney transplant recipients were associated with increased inflammatory markers, greater proteinuria, and alterations in bone mineral metabolism. Red cell distribution width may serve as an accessible indicator of subclinical inflammation and metabolic dysfunction in this population; however, prospective studies are needed to confirm findings.