Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains a
major burden with no clinically applicable biomarkers.
Aim: To investigate the association of Red cell Distribution Width (RDW)
values on admission with previous hospitalizations, need of non-invasive
mechanical ventilation (NIMV) and long term oxygen therapy (LTOT) in
patients with COPD.
Methods: Patients with AECOPD admitted to our department during 2018
were included in the study.
Results: One hundred sixty patients were enrolled (M/F 95/65, median age
71.00 years, mean FEV1 +/- SD = 46.6 +/- 28.9). Median RDW was
significantly higher for patients in need of NIMV (14.8, 95% CI: 14.2
to 15.6) than patients not in need of NIMV (13.5, 95% CI: 13.2 to 13.8)
(p < 0.001). Median RDW was significantly higher for patients in need of
LTOT (14.2, 95% CI: 13.7 to 14.6) compared to patients not receiving
LTOT (13.2, 95% CI: 12.5 to 13.6) (p = 0.001). Patients with
hospitalization during the last 12 months had increased RDW values
compared to patients with no hospitalizations [median RDW 14.3, (95%
CI: 13.5 to 14.9) versus median RDW 13.5, (95% CI: 13.1 to 13.9)](p =
0.001).
Conclusion: Patients with COPD in need of LTOT, NIMV or patients with
previous hospitalizations presented with increased RDW values. Increased
RDW values could serve as a negative prognostic marker in patients with
COPD
