Importance of Mean Red Cell Distribution Width in Hypertensive Patients

Abstract

PurposeRed cell distribution width (RDW), expressed in femtoliters (fl), is a measure of the variation in the size of circulating erythrocytes and is often expressed as a direct measurement of the width of the distribution. We aim to observe the mean value of red cell distribution width (RDW) in hypertensive patients. Increased RDW can be used as a tool for early diagnosis, as an inflammatory marker, and a mortality indicator in hypertensive patients due to its close relation to inflammation.Materials and methodologyHypertensive patients who had the condition for more than one year duration, diagnosed according to the Joint National Committee (JNC 7) criteria were subjected to complete blood count and RDW measurement. One hundred patients, aged between 12 years and 65 years were enrolled from the outpatient department of medicine at the Military Hospital Rawalpindi.ResultsThe mean age (± SD) of the patients was 51.48 ± 10.08 years. Out of 100 patients 69% were males whereas 31% were females. The overall frequency of hypertension more than five years was 55% subjects whereas 45% individuals had duration of hypertension less than five years. Mean RDW in females was found to be 49.35±8.42 fl while mean RDW in males was 44.78±7.11 fl. An independent sample t-test was applied to assess if there was any significant difference between age and gender. No significant difference between age and gender was found (p<0.05). The Mann-Whitney test was used to assess any association of RDW with gender. RDW values in females was found to be statistically significantly higher than in males (U=603, p=0.01). Linear regression showed that mean RDW value increased with increasing age (P <0.001).ConclusionsA significant number of patients with hypertension have increased levels of RDW. Therefore, it is recommended that serum RDW should be checked regularly in patients with hypertension.

Diagnostic accuracy of a dynamically increased red blood cell distribution width in very low birth weight infants with serious bacterial infection

“…Inflammation not only disrupts the survival of erythrocytes but also deforms red block cell membranes [ 22 , 23 ]. Taken together, increased systemic inflammation is the major theorized mechanism that results in an increase in RDW [ 23 , 24 ].…”

The diagnostic and prognostic value of red cell distribution width in cardiovascular disease; current status and prospective

“…18 Bilal et al evaluated 100 hypertensive patients and found that most of these patients had an increased level of RDW. 64 Similarly, Ozcan et al validated the association between RDW and hypertension in 247 patients with essential hypertension and found that RDW is significantly higher in patients with non-dipper hypertension compared with the dipper hypertensive patients. 65 Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that nebivolol, an anti-hypertensive drug, decreased RDW in new essential hypertensive patients, supporting the hypothesis that RDW could be used in clinic as a novel biomarker for evaluating the hypertension-associated complications in cardiovascular disease.…”

“…Moreover, it has been demonstrated that elevated RDW is strongly associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressures . Bilal et al evaluated 100 hypertensive patients and found that most of these patients had an increased level of RDW . Similarly, Ozcan et al validated the association between RDW and hypertension in 247 patients with essential hypertension and found that RDW is significantly higher in patients with non‐dipper hypertension compared with the dipper hypertensive patients .…”

Genetic predisposition for increased red blood cell distribution width is an early risk factor for cardiovascular and renal comorbidities

“…Increased RDW has been also observed to co-exist with multiple cardiovascular disorders, such as hypertension (Bilal et al 2016), atrial fibrillation (Shao et al 2018) and heart failure (Lippi et al 2018). However, little is known regarding the significance of this association.…”