Fluctuation in red cell distribution width predicts disseminated intravascular coagulation morbidity and mortality in sepsis: a retrospective single-center study.

Background: Red cell distribution width (RDW) values increase in many diseases and conditions, including sepsis. However, the relationship between RDW fluctuation and prognosis in patients with sepsis or the likely morbidity associated with sepsis-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) has not been previously investigated. This study examined the association between dynamic changes to RDW and DIC occurrence in sepsis, as well as the prognostic significance of changes to RDW during hospital stay in patients with sepsis.
Methods: We collected baseline emergency department admissions' data. All RDW values recorded during hospitalization of patients with sepsis were combined to calculate RDW standard deviation (RDW-SD) and the increase rate of RDW; we also collected data on coagulation indicators. The endpoints were 28-day mortality and sepsis-related DIC morbidity.
Results: Of 232 patients included in our analysis, 66 were diagnosed with DIC (28.4%), and 86 (37.1%) died within 28 days. The RDW-SD and the increase rate of RDW were independent risk factors for 28-day mortality and sepsis-associated DIC morbidity, respectively. The DIC occurrence and mortality rate increased continually with an increasing rate of RDW of at least 6%.
Conclusions: The RDW-SD and RDW increase rate shown in the study as the indicators of RDW fluctuation can help predict sepsis-related DIC morbidity and prognosis in patients with sepsis.