Red Cell Distribution Width as a Prognostic Marker in ICU-Admitted Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients: Correlation with Inflammatory Profile and Clinical Outcomes
Keywords:
RDW, COPD, Prognostic Marker, Correlation, ICUAbstract
Background: Red cell distribution width (RDW), a measure of the variability in erythrocyte size, has emerged as a potential biomarker of systemic inflammation and adverse outcomes in various critical illnesses. However, its prognostic significance in critically ill patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains underexplored. Objective: To find out the association of RDW with clinical severity, inflammatory markers, and outcomes in critically ill COPD patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Methodology: A prospective observational cohort study was conducted on 240 COPD patients admitted to the ICU. Patients were stratified into two groups based on RDW values at admission: normal RDW (n=98) and elevated RDW (n=142). Demographic data, clinical characteristics, laboratory parameters, severity scores (APACHE II, SOFA), interventions, and outcomes were analyzed. Correlations between RDW and key clinical variables were assessed. Results: Results showed that patients with elevated RDW were significantly older (70.1 ± 9.6 vs. 64.2 ± 8.5 years) and had lower Body Mass Index and haemoglobin levels. Elevated RDW was associated with higher inflammatory markers (CRP: 56.8 ± 29.1 mg/L vs. 43.6 ± 25.3 mg/L, p=0.002), lower serum albumin (2.9 ± 0.6 g/dL vs. 3.4 ± 0.4 g/dL, p<0.001), and increased white blood cell counts. Severity scores were significantly higher in the elevated RDW group (p<0.001). Conclusion: Elevated RDW is strongly associated with increased inflammation, disease severity, and worse outcomes in severe COPD cases. RDW may serve as a simple, cost-effective prognostic marker to aid early risk stratification and guide clinical management in this high-risk population.References
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