The red cell distribution width as a prognostic indicator in upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the relationship between the Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) and prognosis in upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancer. PubMed (via the web), Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library were searched. A systematic review and meta-analysis was done to generate the pooled hazard ratios (HR) for overall survival (OS), disease specific survival (DSS), and recurrence free survival (RFS). Our analysis included the results of 4200 patients in 8 cohorts. The pooled data demonstrated that an elevated RDW was associated with significantly poorer OS (HR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.13–1.83), RFS (HR: 1.43, 95%CI: 1.13–1.82). The DSS result had high heterogeneity and 95% CI was not pooled. An elevated RDW may be an indicator of poor prognosis in UADT cancers in certain populations. Further research is needed to confirm this effect.