Elevated Red Cell Distribution Width as a Prognostic Marker in Severe Sepsis: A Prospective Observational Study

INTRODUCTION: Sepsis is a dysregulated host response to infection resulting in potentially life-threatening organ dysfunction. Elevation in red cell distribution width (RDW), a simple routinely done investigation, could be a prognostic marker in these patients. METHODS: Between January 2014 and June 2015, 200 patients with severe sepsis at admission were prospectively evaluated for association between RDW at admission and 30-day mortality. Besides the groups of raised and normal RDW, study population was further analyzed after categorizing into three RDW groups as follows: ≤14.5%, 14.6–17.3%, and >17.3% as well. To find out factors associated independently with 30-day mortality, we applied multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Among 200 patients, 115 (57.5%) were males. Mean age of the study subjects was 51.32 ± 16.98 years. Mean RDW at admission was 17.40 ± 3.21%, ranging from 12.6% to 33.3%. Mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score of study population at admission was 22.49 ± 5.72. One hundred and fourteen (57%) patients had 30-day mortality. Even though RDW showed a hierarchical association with 30-day mortality among three RDW groups, it was not found to be an independent predictor of 30-day mortality. APACHE II score, serum albumin, partial pressure of arterial oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio, and serum fibrinogen level at admission were observed to be independent predictors of 30-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In severe sepsis patients, RDW though showed a graded relationship with 30-day mortality was not found to be an independent predictor of 30-day mortality.