Red blood cell distribution width as a useful indicator to predict systemic vasculitis in patients with cutaneous vasculitis

Abstract

Cutaneous vasculitis can be limited to skin or a manifestation of primary systemic vasculitis. However, there are no definite markers to predict systemic involvements. Recent studies have shown that a higher red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is associated with disease activity in various disorders. We evaluated whether RDW can be used as an indicator for predicting systemic disease in patients with initial cutaneous involvements. We reviewed clinical and laboratory information of 143 patients with cutaneous vasculitis and 15 pigmented purpuric dermatosis patients seen at single academic hospital in Korea. Various parameters, including RDW, were evaluated in patients with primary cutaneous vasculitis and primary systemic vasculitis with initial cutaneous manifestations. The RDW value between cutaneous and systemic vasculitis patients was compared and RDW level was also investigated whether it can indicate systemic vasculitis in patients with cutaneous involvements. The mean age was 32.0 years, and 102 (64.6 %) patients were female. A total of 132 patients were patients with primary cutaneous vasculitis, and 11 were primary systemic vasculitis. Higher ratio of patients with high RDW was detected in systemic vasculitis group compared with cutaneous vasculitis group (36.4 vs. 7.6 %, P < 0.05). The mean RDW was significantly higher in systemic vasculitis patients (P < 0.05). RDW had the strongest association with systemic vasculitis (P < 0.05, OR 1.834). In conclusion, elevated level of RDW was significantly associated with systemic vasculitis. RDW can be used as one of the marker to predict systemic disease in patients with cutaneous vasculitis.

Red blood cell distribution width is increased in patients with psoriasis vulgaris: A retrospective study on 261 patients

“…[16][17][18][19][20] Recently, we have also found that increased RDW can predict systemic involvement when patients present with cutaneous vasculitis. 21 Because high RDW is related to poor prognosis in patients with cardiovascular disorders, we can easily speculate that increased cardiovascular risks in patients with psoriasis could be related to high RDW in psoriasis patients. Otherwise, high RDW may be associated with the fact that psoriasis patients accumulate cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes and hypertension.…”

“…In addition to cardiovascular disorders, RDW was shown to be elevated in many other diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and celiac disease . Recently, we have also found that increased RDW can predict systemic involvement when patients present with cutaneous vasculitis . Because high RDW is related to poor prognosis in patients with cardiovascular disorders, we can easily speculate that increased cardiovascular risks in patients with psoriasis could be related to high RDW in psoriasis patients.…”

Red Cell Distribution Width and Mean Platelet Volume in Patients With Pityriasis Rosea

“…RDW was considered an inflammatory marker for heart failure, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis [ 7-9 ]. MPV has been studied as an inflammatory marker of cutaneous vasculitis, psoriasis, cardiovascular disease and rheumatologic diseases [ 10 , 11 ]. Since there is not a study in the liteature regarding the relationship between RDW, MPV and PR, the purpose of this study was to investigate the RDW and MPV levels in PR patients compared with healthy controls.…”

Biochemical view: “Red blood cell distribution width as a useful indicator to predict systemic vasculitis in patients with cutaneous vasculitis”

“…In conclusion, elevated RDW levels were determined to indicate the possibility of systemic disease in patients with cutaneous vasculitis [1]. However, we think that there are some points that should be emphasized about this study.…”