Association of red cell distribution width with coronary plaque burden and sub-types in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Red cell distribution width (RDW) is an inflammatory marker that is associated with CAD presence and prognosis.We aimed to evaluate the relationship between RDW value, coronary atherosclerosis, coronary plaque burden and morphology in diabetic patients.147 DM patients who were evaluated with 128-slice dual-source coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) for suspected CAD were included in the study. The study population was divided into two groups [a CAD group (Group I) and non-CAD group (Group II)]. The plaque characteristics were analyzed on a per-segment. RDW values were obtained from the automated complete blood count.RDW values were found to be significantly higher among diabetic patients with CAD compared to those without CAD (14.6±1.4% vs 13.3±1.6%, p<0.001). In the correlation analysis, RDW value showed significant positive correlation with hs-CRP (r=0.523, p<0.001), total plaque burden (r=0.379, p<0.001), mixed plaques (r=0.253, p=0.018) and non calcified plaques (r=0.413, p<0.001). Also, multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed RDW as a significant and independent predictor of the presence of CAD in patients with DM .(OR=1.659, 95% CI:1.257-2.190; p<0.001).In our study we have determined that RDW value is an independent predictor among diabetic patients for the presence of CAD. Moreover, RDW values showed significant correlation with total plaque burden, and the number of non-calcified and mixed plaques. © 2017 OMU.