European Journal of Medical Research (Mar 2023)

Retrospective study on the efficacy of monocyte distribution width (MDW) as a screening test for COVID-19

  • Kentaro Wakamatsu,
  • Zenzo Nagasawa,
  • Kouta Katsuki,
  • Hiroyuki Kumazoe,
  • Masayo Yasuda,
  • Sae Kawamoto,
  • Ayano Kawamura,
  • Tsuyoshi Ueno,
  • Ruriko Kiyotani,
  • Izumi Fukui,
  • Sanae Maki,
  • Nobuhiko Nagata,
  • Masayuki Kawasaki,
  • Hozumi Yamada

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-023-01086-7
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 28, no. 1
pp. 1 – 9

Abstract

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Abstract Background Pathogenic genetic testing for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can detect viruses with high sensitivity; however, there are several challenges. In the prevention, testing, and treatment of COVID-19, more effective, safer, and convenient methods are desired. We evaluated the possibility of monocyte distribution width (MDW) as an infection biomarker in COVID-19 testing. Methods The efficacy of MDW as a screening test for COVID-19 was retrospectively assessed in 80 patients in the COVID-19 group and 232 patients in the non-COVID-19 group (141 patients with acute respiratory infection, 19 patients with nonrespiratory infection, one patient with a viral infection, 11 patients who had received treatment for COVID-19, one patient in contact with COVID-19 patients, and 59 patients with noninfectious disease). Results The median MDW in 80 patients in the COVID-19 group was 23.3 (17.2–33.6), and the median MDW in 232 patients in the non-COVID-19 group was 19.0 (13.6–30.2) (P < 0.001). When the COVID-19 group was identified using the MDW cut-off value of 21.3 from the non-COVID-19 group, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.844, and the sensitivity and specificity were 81.3% and 78.2%, respectively. Comparison of MDW by severity between the COVID-19 group and patients with acute respiratory infection in the non-COVID-19 group showed that MDW was significantly higher in the COVID-19 group for all mild, moderate I, and moderate II disease. Conclusions MDW (cut-off value: 21.3) may be used as a screening test for COVID-19 in fever outpatients. Trial registration This study was conducted after being approved by the ethics committee of National Hospital Organization Omuta National Hospital (Approval No. 3-19). This study can be accessed via https://omuta.hosp.go.jp/files/000179721.pdf .

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