Does elevated red cell distribution width shows association with increased Framingham risk score among patients with coronary artery disease? - A cross-sectional study

• Main Authors: Shah MR, Godbole VY, Mehta KG
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: KIMS Foundation and Research Center 2020-10-01
• Series: Journal of Medical and Scientific Research
• Subjects: red cell distribution; framingham risk score; coronary artery disease; complete blood count
• Online Access: http://jmsronline.com/article.aspx?ID=Red-cell-distribution-increased-Framingham-risk-score-coronary-artery-disease

Background: Red-cell distribution width (RDW) is one of the routinely done investigations in complete blood count. Various studies have found that increased RDW has been associated with adverse outcomes in cardiac diseases. Framingham risk score (FRS) is also one of the widely used risk score for assessment in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. This study was conducted with an objective to find association between RDW and FRS in patients with coronary artery disease. This cross-sectional study was conducted among patients visiting tertiary care hospital in Vadodara, Gujarat. Material and methods: A total of 204 patients (104 CAD cases and 100 controls) were enrolled in the study. Clinical and demographic characteristics were obtained from all patients. FRS was calculated on patients in both the groups. Investigations like CBC testing, renal function and lipid profile were also conducted for patients in both the groups. Descriptive statistics for baseline characteristics, clinical and haematological parameters have been mentioned in the form of mean and standard deviation. Association between clinical, haematological parameters and FRS with RDW among CAD patients is calculated by correlation coefficient (r). Results: Baseline characteristics of the patients like gender, BMI and diabetes were similar in both the CAD and the control group. RDW was significantly correlated with the FRS (p<0.0001), RBC count (p<0.001), MCV (p<0.0001) and MCH (p<0.008) in CAD patients. However, RDW was not statistically different in the patients of CAD having other co-morbidities like diabetes and/or hypertension. Conclusion: There is significant association between the elevated RDW and increased FRS which suggested an increased risk of cardiac events in patients with coronary artery disease. As compared to other biomarkers it is a simple, rapid and inexpensive marker so it can be routinely prescribed among CAD patients.