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Red cell distribution width as a potential index to assess the severity of hepatitis B virus‐related liver diseases
Author(s) -
Huang Rui,
Yang Chenchen,
Wu Kangkang,
Cao Shufeng,
Liu Yong,
Su Ran,
Xiong Yali,
Huang Aijun,
Wu Chao
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
hepatology research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.123
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1872-034X
pISSN - 1386-6346
DOI - 10.1111/hepr.12342
Subject(s) - medicine , cirrhosis , gastroenterology , hepatitis b virus , hbeag , liver disease , hepatitis b , red blood cell distribution width , immunology , virus , hbsag
Aim To investigate the association between red cell distribution width ( RDW ) and the severity of hepatitis B virus ( HBV )‐related liver diseases. Methods Sixty‐nine patients with chronic hepatitis B ( CHB ) and 61 patients with HBV ‐related liver cirrhosis were enrolled in the present study. Forty‐one healthy individuals were included as controls. Hematological parameters, hepatitis B e‐antigen ( HB e A g) status, HBV DNA levels and liver biochemistry were analyzed. C hild– P ugh scores and M odel for E nd‐ S tage L iver D isease ( MELD ) scores of the patients with HBV ‐related liver cirrhosis were calculated. Results The RDW was significantly higher in patients with HBV ‐related liver cirrhosis as compared with CHB patients and healthy controls. RDW was slightly higher in CHB patients as compared with healthy controls. An increasing correlation of RDW with C hild– P ugh grades was found. RDW was positively correlated with C hild– P ugh scores and MELD scores. In patients with HBV ‐related liver cirrhosis, RDW was also positively correlated with total bilirubin and negatively correlated with hemoglobin and serum albumin concentration. However, no significant difference was found between HB e A g positive and negative patients and no significant correlation between RDW and HBV DNA levels was found. Conclusion The RDW was elevated in CHB patients and patients with HBV ‐related liver cirrhosis and was positively correlated with the severity of HBV ‐related liver cirrhosis. RDW is a potential index to assess the severity of HBV ‐related liver diseases.