Blood test could determine Covid-19 risk by scanning width of red blood cells 

Blood test that measures the size of a person’s red blood cells could spot people most at risk of falling seriously ill or dying from Covid-19

  • Scientists have found a link between size of red blood cells and Covid mortality  
  • So-called RDW test measures the size range of a person’s red blood cells 
  • A healthy and well-nourished person has uniformly sized red blood cells 
  • Study found elevated RDW values in Covid-19 patients were 2.7 times more likely to die than people with a normal reading  

A blood test could spot people most at risk of falling seriously ill or dying from Covid-19 by scanning the size of their red blood cells, a study claims.

The ‘red cell distribution width’ (RDW) test measures the difference in size from a patient’s largest to smallest red blood cell. 

It is currently used to help diagnose various medical conditions such as anaemia, heart disease, blood disorder and diabetes.

A low reading means a person’s red blood cells are all about the same size, while a high score indicates the cells are of varying sizes. 

A high RDW normally indicates poor nutrition but US researchers also found it was correlated with Covid-19 death rate. 

Shocking data from the peer-reviewed study reveals a person with red blood cells that vary significantly in size is 2.7 times more likely to die from Covid-19.

Regularly monitoring the red blood cells could help determine whether they are responding to treatment or getting worse, the researchers add. 

Shocking data from the peer-reviewed study reveals a person with red blood cells that vary significantly in size is 2.7 times more likely to die from Covid-19 

WHAT IS RED CELL DISTRIBUTION WIDTH?

The RDW test shows the difference in size between the smallest and largest red blood cells in a sample. 

While variation is common, average red blood cells are 6 to 8 micrometers (μm) in diameter. 

Higher RDW levels may be associated with adverse outcomes in patients with heart failure .

High RDW may also indicate a nutrient deficiency, anaemia, or other underlying conditions.  

Often, RDW is part of a complete blood count – a test that measures all the blood’s components, including white blood cells, platelets, and haemoglobin.  

‘We were surprised to find that one standard test that quantifies the variation in size of red blood cells – called red cell distribution width, or RDW – was highly correlated with patient mortality,’ said study author Dr Jonathan Carlson at Harvard Medical School.

‘The correlation persisted when controlling for other identified risk factors like patient age, some other lab tests, and some pre-existing illnesses.’

Red blood cells are already monitored for some health conditions.

For example, changes in the numbers and types of blood cells during inflammation are already associated with poor health outcomes in patients with diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.  

The researchers analysed medical data of 1,641 adults who were diagnosed with Covid-19 infection and admitted to a hospital in the Boston, Massachusetts area between March 4 and April 28, 2020. 

They used different tests to look for changes in circulating blood cells, including size and distribution.

Red blood cell distribution width is expressed as a percentage, a figure above 14.5 per cent is considered to be elevated.  

Patients who had RDW values in this range when they were admitted to the hospital with Covid-19 had a 2.7-times higher risk of dying, the study reveals.

They had a mortality rate of 31 per cent compared with 11 per cent in patients with normal blood. 

RDW test is part of a complete blood count (CBC), a test that measures all the blood’s components, including white blood cells, platelets, and haemoglobin

RDW test is part of a complete blood count (CBC), a test that measures all the blood’s components, including white blood cells, platelets, and haemoglobin

Patients of all ages were found to be more at risk of dying if they had an elevated RDW reading, not just people with known co-morbidities. 

The research also found that if a person’s RDW reading escalated to elevated levels following hospitalisation, the risk of dying was even more greater.  

Researchers say this tracking the red blood cells regularly may therefore be a good way of knowing if a patient is responding well or poorly to treatment.   

The experts are currently seeking to uncover exactly why severe cases Covid-19 also have abnormal red blood cell sizes.   

‘Such discoveries could point to new treatment strategies or identify better markers of disease severity,’ said co-author Aaron Aguirre at Harvard.                 

The study has been published in JAMA Network Open.  

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