Investigating the Relationship between Red Cell Width Distribution (RDW) and Outcome in Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a consequence of mechanical ventilation, which can be fatal. Several markers are available to predict outcomes related to VAP. Choosing a predictor that is inexpensive, affordable, and accurate is advantageous. This study aimed to examine red cell distribution width (RDW) as a predictor of mortality in patients with VAP.

This prospective cohort study was conducted among 49 patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Valiasr Hospital in Tehran. A researcher-made checklist was used to collect RDW and other marker data, as well as mortality outcomes and length of stay (LOS) in the ICU. The Pearson correlation coefficient in the SPSS software and the regression model in the Eviews software were used to examine the relationship between markers and different outcomes.

Of a total of 49 patients (57.1% male; mean age = 54 ± 16), the length of ICU stays ranged from 7 to 14 days. According to the Pearson correlation coefficient, a significant association between RDW and mortality (P =.009) was noted. But no significant relationship between RDW and length of stay in the ICU (P =.81) was noted. Additionally, the regression model showed a positive relationship between RDW and white blood cells (WBC), lactate, and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA).

Our study showed a positive but weak correlation between RDW and ICU mortality in patients with VAP. Due to its availability and low cost of measurement, RDW is an appropriate option for predicting mortality risk in patients who are admitted to the ICU and develop VAP.