Red cell distribution width and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio as predictors of outcomes in acute pancreatitis: A retrospective cohort study

Background Acute pancreatitis is a commonly encountered emergency but accurately predicting that subset of patients who will become systemically unwell has proven difficult. Simple haematological prognostic markers, such as red cell distribution width (RDW) and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), could identify such patients. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of RDW and NLR measured on admission as predictors of mortality and intensive care (ICU) or high dependency unit (HDU) admission in patients with acute pancreatitis. Materials and methods All patient who presented to our institution with acute pancreatitis between August 2013 and August 2016 were retrospectively identified using the prospectively maintained Hospital In-Patient Enquiry (HIPE) discharge audit. Data on survival, admission to HDU or ICU, length of stay and haematological parameters including RDW and NLR on presentation to the emergency department were collected. Results A total of 185 patients with acute pancreatitis were included of which 23 (12%) patients had a RDW above the upper limit of normal (ULN), which was associated with a significantly increased likelihood of admission to ICU or HDU (RR3.5; p = 0.01); 117 (63%) patients had a NLR above 5 on presentation, which also increased the risk of ICU or HDU admission (RR 8.1; p = 0.01). Patients who had both a RDW above the ULN and a raised NLR had an increased risk of inpatient mortality (RR 9.9; p = 0.04). Conclusion RDW and NLR can identify patients at increased risk of severe acute pancreatitis on presentation to the Emergency Department.