title: Red blood cell distribution width as a simple negative prognostic factor in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a retrospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prognostic value of baseline red blood cell distribution width (RDW) in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from 81 DLBCL patients diagnosed from 2006 to 2013 at the University Hospital Center Osijek, Osijek, Croatia, were reviewed. We evaluated disease outcome, overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS), and demographic, clinical and laboratory factors affecting outcome. Univariate analysis and Cox regression analysis were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median age of patients was 64 years, 29 were men (35.8%). Higher RDW levels (%) were found in patients with advanced Ann Arbor clinical stage (14.94±1.82 vs 13.55±1.54, P=0.001) and in those with poor response to therapy (14.94±1.82 vs 13.55±1.54, P=0.001). Patients with RDW>15% (cut-off was calculated by receiver operating characteristics) had significantly worse OS (median [range], 33 months [20-46] vs 74 months [65-82], P<0.001) and EFS (27 months [15-40] vs 68 months [59-77], P<0.001). Cox regression analysis showed that RDW>15% was an independent prognostic factor for OS (HR 3.654, 95% CI 1.128-11.836) and EFS (HR 2.611, 95% CI 1.012-6-739).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High baseline RDW is an independent prognostic marker of poor outcome in patients with DLBCL. RDW could be an easily available and inexpensive marker for the risk stratification in patients with DLBCL.
authors: Vlatka Periša, Department of Hematology, Clinic of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Centre Osijek, Huttlerova 4, 31000 Osijek, Croatia, vlatkaperisa@gmail.com.
authors: Vlatka
authors: V
authors: Periša
authors: Lada
authors: L
authors: Zibar
authors: Jasminka
authors: J
authors: Sinčić-Petričević
authors: Ana
authors: A
authors: Knezović
authors: Igor
authors: I
authors: Periša
authors: Jerko
authors: J
authors: Barbić
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate