Red Cell Distribution Width and Absolute Lymphocyte Count Associate With Biomarkers of Inflammation and Subsequent Mortality in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Morbidity and mortality in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is partly mitigated by maintaining immune and hematologic homeostasis. Identification of those at risk is challenging. Red cell distribution width (RDW) and absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) associate with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality in the general population, and with disease activity in RA. How these variables relate to inflammation and mortality in RA was investigated.

Methods

In a retrospective single Veterans Affairs (VA) Rheumatology Clinic cohort of 327 patients with RA treated with methotrexate (MTX)+/- a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor (TNFi), we evaluated RDW and ALC before and during therapy and in relation to subsequent mortality. Findings were validated in a national VA cohort (n =

SUBMITTER: Lange A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9898085 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature