Comparison of Red Cell Distribution Width and Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio with APACHE II Score in Predicting Severity of Acute Pancreatitis.

A number of scoring systems were developed to prospectively predict the severity of acute pancreatitis so that early aggressive therapy can be initiated. The present study aimed to establish the role of red cell distribution width (RDW) and neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as severity predictors of acute pancreatitis by comparing these parameters with the well-established Acute Physiological and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score. A prospective observational single-center cohort study was conducted on adult patients of acute pancreatitis. RDW, NLR, and APACHE II score were calculated at the time of admission. RDW and NLR were repeated at 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and at 96 h. The primary outcome studied was the association of RDW and NLR with severity of acute pancreatitis. The sample size was 57 patients. The mean scores of RDW and NLR at admission, at 24 h, at 48 h, at 72 h, and at 96 h, were significantly greater than in moderately severe and severe acute pancreatitis, and the same was true for APACHE II score at admission. On comparing sensitivity, no significant difference was seen between RDW, NLR, and APACHE II score. Specificity of APACHE II was significantly higher when compared to RDW and NLR. Our study showed that RDW and NLR can be used as independent prognostic markers for predicting the severity of acute pancreatitis. However, APACHE II score continues to be the gold standard in this regard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]