Can red cell distribution width be used as a predictor of acute cholecystitis?

OBJECTIVE Acute cholecystitis is a common disease requiring accurate markers for diagnosis and proper treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of red cell distribution width (RDW) in acute cholecystitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS 299 were included in the study. The subjects were divided into 2 groups; group 1 (n: 46) acute cholecystitis group and group 2 (n: 253) chronic cholecystitis group. The patients were compared with respect to demographic characteristics, white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, and red cell distribution width. RESULTS A statistically significant difference was observed between groups with respect to gender, white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, and red cell distribution width level (p<0.05). The mean red cell distribution width level of group 1 and 2 was 14.19±2.02% and 15.03±2.51%, respectively. CONCLUSION Red cell distribution width level can be used as a predictor of acute cholecystitis. Multicenter prospective studies should be performed to elucidate the exact role of RDW level in acute cholecystitis.