Association of the left ventricular hypertrophy and red cell distribution width in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients

Abstract

Objective: Red cell distribution width is a component of the complete blood count analysis and has a rather important place in the diagnosis of anemia. High red cell distribution width has also been defined as an independent risk factor in patients diagnosed with a stroke, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. Another identified independent risk factor for cardiovascular events is left ventricular hypertrophy. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between red cell distribution width and left ventricular hypertrophy in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients. Methods: Our study included 393 patients who were newly diagnosed with hypertension by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and had echocardiography. Patients were divided into 2 groups as patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (Group 1) and patients without left ventricular hypertrophy (Group 2). Red cell distribution width levels were compared between groups. A P value less than .05 was considered significant. Results: The median age of the study group was 54 years (interquartile range = 42-64 years). Mean red cell distribution width was 13.01 ± 0.9 in Group 1 and 12.38 ± 0.6 in Group 2. Red cell distribution width was found to be significantly higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (P< .001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that red cell distribution width is an independent risk factor for left ventricular hypertrophy. Conclusion: The present study showed that a higher red cell distribution width value is an independent risk factor for left ventricular hypertrophy. Patients having higher red cell distribution width values should be examined for left ventricular hypertrophy regularly.