Red Blood Cell Distribution Width (RDW) as a Predictor of In-Hospital Mortality in COVID-19 Patients; a Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) has been introduced as a predictive factor for mortality in several critical illnesses and infectious diseases. This study aimed to assess the possible relationship between RDW on admission and COVID-19 in-hospital mortality. Method: This cross-sectional study was performed using the Isfahan COVID-19 registry. Adult confirmed cases of COVID-19 admitted to four hospitals affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in Iran were included. Age, sex, O2 saturation, RDW on admission, Intensive Care Unit admission, laboratory data, history of comorbidities, and hospital outcome were extracted from the registry. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to study the independent association of RDW with mortality.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• SARS-CoV-2
• Erythrocyte Indices
• Severity of Illness Index
• Mortality