Abstract
Background:
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease that results in patient’s morbidity and disabilities. There is strong evidence that OA is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Red cell distribution width (RDW) blood test is a measure of the variation in red blood cell volume and size. Elevated RDW has recently been found to correlate with CVD risk in patients with and without heart disease and autoimmune diseases. RDW may be a marker for factors driving CVS risk.
Objectives:
: To investigate whether RDW can serve as a potential parameter for indicating cardiovascular risk in OA patients.
Methods:
A subsample of 819 OA patients was extracted from 2003-2006 National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey in a cross-sectional study. 63.7% of them were females. Their mean age was 66.4 ± 14.1 yrs. Demographic, medical data, inflammatory markers & lipid panel were obtained. Only patients with Haemoglobin>12 mg/dl were included. Functional limitations were assessed using a physical function questionnaire.
Results:
Elevated levels of RDW were associated with CVD risk factors in OA patients. 532 (65.8%) OA patients had functional limitations, while 78 (9.5%) and 63 (7.6%) known to have heart attacks or stroke ever. Mean RDW was 12.9±1.1fL. There was a positive significant correlation between RDW & CVD risk factors including body mass index (r=0.17, p<0.001), C-reactive protein (r=0.29, p<0.001), serum uric acid (r=0.12, p<0.001), and functional limitation (0.16, p<0.001). No significant association between RDW & lipid panel was found. In multiple regression analysis controlling for age, sex as covariates, body mass index (β =0.02, 95%CI: 0.01, 0.03, p=0.002), C-reactive protein (β =0.35, 95%CI: 0.26, 0.45, p<0.001), and functional limitation (β =0.18, 95%CI: 0.13, 0.35, p=0.03).
Conclusion:
In addition to known CVD risk in OA patients, elevated RDW levels should prompt physicians to aggressively screen and treat their patients for modifiable CVS risk factors, in addition to OA.
Disclosure of Interests:
None declared