Validation of red cell distribution width as a COVID-19 severity screening tool

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is the predictive validation of red cell distribution width (RDW) in COVID-19 patients. Method: In total, 331 COVID-19 patients were classified as ‘severe’ and ‘nonsevere’ groups based on the WHO standard criteria. The levels of RDW standard deviation (SD) were evaluated as both continuous and categorical variables. Multivariate statistical analyses were used. Results: RDW-SD ≤43 and ≤47 fl thresholds showed high specificity (90.1–91.4%) for diagnosing nonsevere illness and no risk of death. RDW-SD >47 indicated severe illness and a high mortality risk while 43<RDW-SD≤47 indicated severe illness with low risk of death. Conclusion: RDW-SD levels may be a potent independent predictor of the infection severity and mortality probability in COVID-19 patients.