The Relationship of Red-Cell Distribution Width and Carotid Intima Media in Chronic Kidney Disease

OBJECTIVE: Red-cell distribution width (RDW) is a parameter routinely used for diagnosis of different anemia types. Recent studies have shown the RDW relationship with mortality in general population and patients with cardiovascular disease. However, the number of studies on RDW in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is insufficient. We evaluated the relationship between RDW and carotid intima media thickness (IMT), which is a predictor of atherosclerosis, in patients with CKD.

MATERIAL and METHODS: 30 healthy controls, 30 patients with CKD, 37 hemodialysis patients were included. IMT was measured with ultrasonography.

RESULTS: We identified statistically significant differences in CRP (p: 0.039), hemoglobin (p<0.001), IMK (p<0.001), RDW (p<0.001), urea (p<0.001), creatinine (p<0.001), albumin (p<0.001), uric acid (p<0.001) and ferritin (p<0.001) levels among three groups. In post hoc analysis, the IMK value was statistically significantly higher in the predialysis (p<0.001) and hemodialysis group than healthy controls. IMK value was not statistically different in the hemodialysis group than the predialysis group (p: 0.988). The RDW value was higher in the predialysis group than controls with a trend to statistical significance (p: 0.067). RDW value showed positive correlation with IMK (r: 0.356 P: 0.012) and CRP (r: 0.361 P: 0.004).

CONCLUSION: RDW is associated with inflammation and intima media thickness in patients with CKD.