Key result
High red blood cell distribution width (>14.1%) was significantly associated with advanced carotid intima media thickness (OR 2.35; 95% CI 1.28-4.30; p=0.006).
Why the study?
Is high red blood cell distribution width associated with preclinical carotid atherosclerosis?
Observational (n=522)
Is high red blood cell distribution width associated with preclinical carotid atherosclerosis?
High red blood cell distribution width (>14.1%) is independently associated with preclinical and clinical carotid atherosclerosis, suggesting its potential utility as a biomarker for cardiovascular risk.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
May support RDW in atherosclerosis risk assessment; leaves open prospective validation before clinical adoption.
BACKGROUND: Preclinical carotid atherosclerosis is associated with future risk of stroke. Data regarding the correlation between carotid atherosclerosis and biomarkers, which might predict the risk for the disease has been inconsistent and conflicting. Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is also related to adverse clinical outcomes. Studies examining the relationship between RDW and preclinical and clinical carotid atherosclerosis were non-conclusive. OBJECTIVE: To study the association between RDW and preclinical carotid atherosclerosis in a large heterogeneous cohort. METHODS: Patients underwent Doppler ultrasound of the common carotid artery and Carotid Intima Media Thickness (CIMT). Advanced CIMT software analyzed over 100 samples in each exam. Blood samples for RDW were obtained on the same day. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the correlation between RDW and preclinical carotid atherosclerosis. RESULTS: Five hundred and twenty-two consecutive patients were included, with a mean age of 6.6 ± 11. A cut-off value of 14.1% was used to differentiate between high and low RDW groups. The higher RDW group (RDW above 14.1%) was significantly older and with more cardiovascular risk factors. In a multivariate analysis, in all the patients including those treated by lipid modifying therapies, high RDW was significantly associated with advanced CIMT (OR = 2.35, CI 95% 1.28-4.30, p = 0.006). This association remained significant in subgroups of non-diabetic patients as well as patients not treated by lipid modifying drugs. RDW was also associated with significant carotid artery stenosis (OR = 1.77, CI 95% 1.12-2.82, p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: High RDW correlates with increased risk for preclinical and clinical carotid atherosclerosis.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Furer et al. (2015) conducted an observational in Preclinical carotid atherosclerosis (n=522). High red blood cell distribution width (RDW > 14.1%) vs. Low RDW (≤ 14.1%) was evaluated on Advanced CIMT (OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.28-4.30, p=0.006). High red blood cell distribution width (>14.1%) was significantly associated with advanced carotid intima media thickness (OR 2.35; 95% CI 1.28-4.30; p=0.006).
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: