The Relationship Between Prognosis and Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) and RDW-Albumin Ratio (RAR) in Patients with Severe COVID-19 Disease

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between prognosis and the red cell distribution width (RDW) and the RDW-albumin ratio (RAR) in patients with coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19), since serum albumin and RDW levels may reflect inflammatory conditions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 289 patients who had been diagnosed with severe COVID-19 in the emergency department were retrospectively analyzed. The RAR levels were calculated by dividing RDW-CV by albumin. Patient groups (survivors, dying patients, those who received mechanical ventilation (MV) support or not, and those who needed vasopressors or not) were compared with regard to RDW-SD, RDW-CV and the RAR levels. RESULTS: RDW-SD, RDW-CV and the RAR levels were found to be statistically significantly higher in patients who died, and who received MV and vasopressor support, compared to those who survived and did not receive support (p<0.001 for all). In addition, while the cut-off value of RAR was >5.43, the sensitivity was 91.6%, the specificity was 93.7%, NPV was 93.1% and the AUC was 0.965 in predicting mortality (p<0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that RDW-SD and RAR were independent risk factors for mortality in patients with severe COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Elevated RDW and RAR levels at the time of admission may independently predict mortality and the need for vasopressor or MV support.