Correlation between red cell distribution width and grade of hepatic steatosis and liver enzymes in patients with Non-Alcoholic steatohepatitis

Abstract

Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a marker of chronic inflammation. Hepatic diseases are often associated with several hematological complications; therefore, high levels of RDW are seen in hepatic diseases. Given the fact that factors which cause non-alcoholic steatohepatitis such as inflammation, oxidative stress, free oxygen radicals, and inflammatory cytokines may have a role in the discrepancy in the erythrocyte volume, we aimed to investigate the relationship between RDW and hepatic enzymes and Grade of hepatic steatosis. A total of 120 patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis using abdominal ultrasonography which was performed by a gastroenterology specialist, were included in the study. Biochemical analysis, complete blood count, other blood tests were performed. Spearman's Rho correlation test was used to analyze the relationship between the parameters and p value was accepted significant if it's <0.05. As a result of our study, there was no significant relationship between RDW and liver steatosis degree (p: 0.704). Also, significant relationship was not found between RDW and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) ( p values were 0,223, 0,856, 0,318, 0,597, 0,195 consecutively). In our study, we tried to find an answer to if there is a relationship between RDW alterations and inflammation which takes place in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. As a result, we found no significant correlation between the RDW values and the degree of steatosis of liver and also liver enzymes.