Significance of Red Blood Cell Distribution Width and CRP/Albumin Levels in Predicting Prognosis of Acute Pancreatitis

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is one of the major pathologies among gastrointestinal system diseases.The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the red cell distribution width (RDW) value and the C-reactive protein (CRP)/ albumin ratio in patients with AP. METHODS:In this retrospective study, AP cases were enrolled and divided into 2 groups according to the Ranson criteria as moderate or severe pancreatitis.The RDW and CRP/albumin values, length of hospitalization and stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), and the complications experienced were compared between these 2 groups.RESULTS: A total of 264 patients were included in the study.Moderate pancreatitis was detected in 204 patients (77.2%) while severe pancreatitis was seen in 60 patients (22.8%) (p=0.081).There was no statistically significant difference in the RDW value between the groups (p=0.193).The CRP/albumin values were significantly higher in the severe pancreatitis group compared with the moderate group (p<0.001).The severe AP group also had a longer period of hospital care, both overall and in the ICU (p=0.001,p=0.047). CONCLUSION:RDW was not a specific marker for predicting prognosis in AP, but the CRP/albumin ratio is an easy-to-apply, inexpensive, and reliable marker. Keywords: Acute pancreatitis; C-reactive protein/albumin; erythrocyte distribution width; prognosis.agnosis, prognosis, and response to treatment, although markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), amylase, lipase, trypsin, phospholipase 2, interleukin (IL)-8, and procalcitonin are currently used to diagnose and predict the severity of the disease.Early diagnosis is highly important in terms of mortality and complications, and there are some scoring systems available that can be helpful in making an early diagnosis and predicting prognosis.The Ranson criteria, the Acute Physiologic Assessment and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II, and the Balthazar score are some of those that are most widely used.[4,5] Ranson scoring is widely used in general surgery and gastroenterology clinics to predict prognosis.[4,6] It is an easyto-use scoring system with a sensitivity of 40% to 80% in