Prognostic Role of Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) in Patients with Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma

INTRODUCTION: Several A number of prognostic blood markers related tofor Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) have been identified, most of which are costly and not easily availableaccessible. Although the relationship between the prognostic role of RDW and some cancers has been well established, the role it of RDW plays in DLBCL patients is unclear still questionable and requires more investigations. METHODS: All patients diagnosed with DLBCL who had referred to Imam Reza Hospital, during were included in this retrospective cohort study. Based onRegarding their RDW, the subjects were divided into two groups of normal (RDW ≤14.6%) and elevated RDW (RDW > 14.6%) RDW, and the outcomes were investigated. RESULTS: One hundred fifty patients with DLBCL were included in this study. The results showed a significant relationship between the RDW values of the DLBCL patients and stage frequency distribution, relapse, mortality, and complete remission (P value<0.05). It was also found out that elevated RDW > 14.6% was associated with the risk of relapse (OR=2.50, P value<0.05), mortality (OR=3.59, P value<0.01), and lack of complete remission (OR=0.115, P value< 0.01). The results of the survival analysis indicated that the subjects with higher RDWs had a lower median survival rate than those with low RDWs. In addition, the mortality risk for the individuals with RDW > 14.6% was 2.44 times that of those with RDW≤14.6% (HR=2.44, P value<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study well indicated that as an independent prognostic factor, RDW was associated with the stage of DLBCL patients, failure to achieve complete remission, disease relapse, and patient mortality. However, further studies are would be needed to realize determine the role of RDW in DLBCL patients.