The role of erythrocyte distribution width in predicting poor outcomes in geriatric patients with acute pancreatitis

Introduction and aim. In our study, our aim was to evaluate the relationship between red cell distribution width (RDW) values and prognosis in geriatric patients with acute pancreatitis. Material and methods. Patients over the age of 65 and diagnosed with acute pancreatitis who applied to the Emergency Department of Ümraniye Training and Research Hospital between 16.07.2021 and 15.05.2022 were included in our retrospective study. RDW levels were recorded using the hospital data system. Results. Our study included 184 patients, 19 (10.3%) of which died. Sixty-five percent of our patients were women. The mean hospital stay was 5 days (from 3 to 9). A statistically significant relationship was also observed between high RDW and mortality (p=0.006). The diagnostic test performance analyses of CRP, and RDW in predicting mortality revealed that they were statistically significant in predicting mortality, with the AUC value being calculated as 0.66 (0.6061–0.7368) for CRP, with a cut-off value of 22; and 0.69 (0.6909–0.7368) for RDW, with a cut-off value of 14.5 (p=0.019, p=0.006, respectively). Conclusion. Hematological parameters can help predict a prognosis in patients with acute pancreatitis. Although RDW is not statistically more significant than CRP, it can be used as a prognostic marker in patients with acute pancreatitis.