The role of increased red cell distribution width as a negative prognostic marker in patients with COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains a major burden with no clinically applicable biomarkers. To investigate the association of Red cell Distribution Width (RDW) values on admission with previous hospitalizations, need of non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) and long term oxygen therapy (LTOT) in patients with COPD. Patients with AECOPD admitted to our department during 2018 were included in the study. One hundred sixty patients were enrolled (M/F 95/65, median age 71.00 years, mean FEV1± SD = 46.6 ± 28.9). Median RDW was significantly higher for patients in need of NIMV (14.8, 95% CI: 14.2 to 15.6) than patients not in need of NIMV (13.5, 95% CI: 13.2 to 13.8) (p