Biomarkers · Hematology
Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW)
Lower values carry lower risk. In NHANES 1999–2018 with linked mortality to 2019, each standard deviation is associated with a hazard ratio of 1.40. Reproduces in NHANES
NHANES, our fit with 95% CIPublished curve
Hazard ratios relative to each curve's own reference value, so the two curves need not cross 1 at the same point. The dotted vertical line marks the NHANES median.
NHANES hazard per SD1.4095% CI 1.37–1.43 · 49,105 adults, 7,188 deaths
Published hazard ratio1.72top vs bottom quarter (95% CI 1.48–2.00) · NHANES III Follow-up (1988-2006)
Where people sit
Population percentiles (%) by sex and age band. Cycle or source as recorded in the catalogue.
| Sex | Age | 5th | 25th | Median | 75th | 95th | n | Cycle / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All | 20-39 | 11.8 | 12.3 | 12.6 | 13.2 | 14.8 | 2,710 | 2017-2018 |
| All | 40-59 | 11.9 | 12.4 | 12.8 | 13.5 | 15.4 | 2,670 | 2017-2018 |
| All | 60+ | 12.2 | 12.8 | 13.3 | 14.2 | 16.7 | 2,820 | 2017-2018 |
| All | all | 11.9 | 12.4 | 12.9 | 13.6 | 15.6 | 8,200 | 2017-2018 |
| Men | all | 11.9 | 12.4 | 12.8 | 13.5 | 15.3 | 3,980 | 2017-2018 |
| Women | all | 11.9 | 12.5 | 13.0 | 13.7 | 15.9 | 4,220 | 2017-2018 |
What studies found when this marker was changed
Effects on the biomarker reported in the cited studies. They describe what happened in those populations, not a recommendation for anyone. See all catalogued interventions.
| Type | Intervention | Reported effect | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| clinical | Advanced congestive heart failure and cardiorenal syndrome | +2.0% to +5.0% elevation (RDW > 15.5%) | prospective cohort | Felker GM, et al. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2007;50:40-47. |
| clinical | Severe chronic kidney disease with uremic erythrocyte damage | +1.5% to +4.0% elevation | prospective cohort | Solak Y, et al. Am J Nephrol. 2014;39:328-335. |
| diet | Anti-inflammatory dietary intervention rich in antioxidants | -0.4% to -1.0% reduction | rct | Forhecz Z, et al. Am J Cardiol. 2009;104:1550-1555. |
| environmental | Chronic systemic inflammatory state and oxidative erythrocyte membrane fragility | Increases RDW > 14.5% | cohort | Patel KV, et al. Red cell distribution width and mortality in older adults: a me… |
| exercise | Regular cardiorespiratory physical exercise training | -0.5% to -1.2% reduction via improved erythrocyte membrane turnover | prospective cohort | Lippi G, et al. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2014;52:e255-e257. |
| nutraceutical | Correction of micronutrient deficiencies (Iron, Vitamin B12, Folate) | -1.5% to -3.0% reduction in anisocytosis | meta-analysis | Green R. Blood. 2017;129:2603-2611. |
| supplement | Correction of micronutrient deficiencies (Iron, Vitamin B12, and Folate repletion) | Normalizes RDW toward <12.5% | RCT | Patel KV, et al. Red cell distribution width and mortality in older adults: a me… |
Sources
- Hazard curve: Arch Intern Med 2009; 169:588-594
- Perlstein TS, et al. Red cell distribution width and mortality in risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality: NHANES III. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(6):588-594.
- Patel KV, et al. Red cell distribution width and mortality in older adults: a meta-analysis. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(6):588-594.
- Empirical curve: our Cox model with age and sex, NHANES 1999–2018 with linked mortality to 2019.
Map Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) against another biomarker · Featured: Red cell width (RDW) × albumin.