Assessment of the Relationship Between Carbon Monoxide Poisoning and Red Cell Distribution Width, Hemogram, Leukocyte, Neutrophil, Lymphocyte, Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio

Abstract

Objective: Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a condition which oxygen transport is reduced and presentation is impaired. Red cell distribution width (RDW) is associated with many diseases. Although there are many studies on RDW in the literature, there are very few studies evaluating the relationship between CO poisoning and RDW. The aim of our study is to investigate whether relationship between CO poisoning and RDW. Methods: Patients who applied to the emergency service, CO poisoning was diagnosed, their age 18 years and over, their blood gas measurements showed a carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) level of ≥5%, were taken in this retrospective study. It was recorded that research participants' age, sex, COHb levels in blood gases, hemogram, consultation due to CO poisoning and effects, whether taken hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) and its outcomes. Whether there was a change that could be attributed to CO poisoning at the RDW levels was investigated. Results: Fifty-nine cases were included in the study. The mean RDW of the study group (13.61+-1.12) was higher than that of the control group (12.99+-0.59) (p<0.001). There was a very low correlation between COHb levels and RDW levels in the case group (r=0.157, p=0,235). There was no difference between patients with HBO and those without HBO treatment in terms of RDW averages. White blood cell (WBC) (p<0.001), neutrophil (p<0.001) and neutrophil/lymphocyte (p<0.001) averages of the study group were higher. Conclusion: Hypoxia, the basis of CO poisoning, can induce oxidative stress and stimulate the inflammatory process, resulting in an increase in WBC, neutrophil, and RDW levels.

Keywords

• carbon monoxide poisoning
• red cell distribution width
• carboxyhemoglobin
• hyperbaric oxygen therapy