Red blood cell distribution width as a prognostic marker of mortality in patients on chronic dialysis: a single center, prospective longitudinal study

To determine if red cell distribution width (RDW) is associated with all-cause mortality in patients on chronic dialysis and to evaluate its prognostic value among validated prognostic biomarkers. This is a single center, prospective longitudinal study. At the time of inclusion in January 2011, all patients were physically examined and a routine blood analysis was performed. A sera sample was preserved for determination of NT-pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) and eosinophil cationic protein. Carotid intima media thickness (IMT) was also measured. Following one year, all-cause mortality was evaluated. Of 100 patients, 25 patients died during the follow-up period of one-year. Patients who died had significantly higher median [range] RDW levels (16.7% [14.3-19.5] vs 15.5% [13.2-19.7], P