Is there a difference concerning red cell distribution width in patient with or without helicobacter pylori and gastric inflammation severity?

Helicobacter pylori (H.Pylori) which is a widespread pathogen leading a slow chronic inflammation, may cause many clinical outcomes including gastric cancer. Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a new and promising indicator of inflammation. The primary aim of this study was to compare the red cell distribution width in patients with chronic gastric inflammation, either Helicobacter pylori positive or negative and also in gastric inflammation sub-groups. A total of 2500 patients who underwent upper gastro- intestinal system endoscopy were screened Of these 156 eligible patients, between 18 and 85 years old with no chronic disease and anemia as well as a normal of C-reactive protein and iron storage condition, were enrolled in this study. At least four gastric biopsies were taken from each patient and evaluated by the Sydney Classification. Serum RDW level and Helicobacter pylori positivity were compared as well as gastric inflammation severity. Of 156 patients, 84 (53.8%) were H.pylori positive, while 72 (46.2%) were H.pylori negative. There were no statistical differences between two groups according to mean age, gender, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, ferritin, serum iron, platelet count and C-reactive protein (p>0.05). The median RDW level of H.Pylori positive and negative was not statistically different [13.4 (11.8-17.9) vs.13.4 (11.6-16), %95 confidential interval], respectively (p=0.89). Moreover, the median RDW level was not different among the groups of gastric inflammation severity according to Sydney Classification (all p-values >0.05). Our results demonstrated that there were no differences as regards to the median RDW result in patients with H.Pylori positive and negative . Also no disparity was observed between the median RDW and among the different subgroups of chronic gastric inflammation.