A study of the utility of red cell distribution width to predict the mortality in patients with sepsis visiting Rajah Muthiah Medical College and Hospital

Abstract

Background: Sepsis is defined as a systemic inflammatory response to infectious and non-infectious causes which elicits same response. Currently available gold standard scoring system for assessment of sepsis is the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation. It is useful in intensive care unit and is not widely adopted for patients with sepsis outside of the intensive care setting. Red cell distribution width is an independent prognostic marker, it has been used in many pathological conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, and other inflammatory conditions. Inflammation and oxidative stress reduce RBC survival and suppress their maturation and leads to a release of premature RBC into circulation contributing to elevated RDW. It is an inexpensive, routinely available and rapidly measurable prognostic tools. Objective: The aim of this study is to estimate the utility of red cell distribution width to predict the mortality in patients with sepsis visiting Rajah Muthiah Medical College and Hospital. Methods: We conducted a single centre hospital based cross sectional study of 50 random patients with sepsis admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Rajah Muthiah Medical College and Hospital from November 2019 to October 2021. Results: RDW among non-survivors was 17.1% compared to survivors which was 15.1%. RDW was found to have a significant graded association with APACHE II score at admission showing progressively increasing score along with rising RDW. Thirty day mortality showed a significant relationship with RDW at admission. Conclusion: RDW can be used as a parameter to predict mortality in patients with severe sepsis.