Red cell distribution width as a biomarker of disease severity in hypersensitivity pneumonitis

• Main Authors: Ahmed Al Halfawy, Youssef Soliman, Marwa Moawad, Dina Sobhy
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2019-01-01
• Series: Egyptian Journal of Chest Disease and Tuberculosis
• Subjects: hypersensitivity pneumonitis; red cell distribution width; severity of disease
• Online Access: http://www.ejcdt.eg.net/article.asp?issn=0422-7638;year=2019;volume=68;issue=1;spage=57;epage=62;aulast=Halfawy

Background Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an increasingly recognized form of diffuse parenchymal lung diseases that may lead to respiratory failure and increased risk for mortality. Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a parameter that is routinely reported with all blood counts and has been considered an important prognostic marker in many respiratory disorders. Aim The aim of this work was to evaluate the relation between RDW and severity of HP. Patients and methods Forty patients with HP were included within one year. The patients were subdivided into two equal groups according to their partial oxygen pressure (PO2) values: 20 nonhypoxemic patients (PO2 ≥60 mmHg) and 20 hypoxemic patients (PO2 <60 mmHg). Patients with primary hematological diseases, cardiac diseases, connective tissue disorders, history of diabetes and patients with other forms of diffuse parenchymal lung diseases were excluded. Demographics’ data, blood count, Dyspnea score, arterial blood gases, high-resolution computed tomography chest scan score, 6-min walk distance, echocardiography, and pulmonary function data were recorded. Results The mean RDW in the hypoxic group was 17.25±3.9, higher than that of the nonhypoxic group (16.02±3.08), with no statistical significance (P=0.174). RDW was positively correlated with dyspnea score, BMI and total disease extent score. Moreover, it showed an inverse relationship with diffusing capacity and 6-min walk distance without statistically significant values. There was a statistically significant correlation between RDW and pulmonary hypertension (P=0.027). Conclusion The RDW is a readily available laboratory test that may provide useful information about severity and prognosis of HP.