Key clinical point: Red blood cell distribution width could serve as a useful biomarker and successfully differentiate between patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and control individuals.
Major finding: Patients with RA vs. control individuals had significantly higher values for red blood cell distribution width (standardized mean difference, 0.96; P < .001); however, the mean platelet volume ( P = .515) and platelet distribution width ( P = .222) were not significantly different between the 2 groups.
Study details: This was a systematic review and meta-analysis of 23 studies, of which 11 studies reported data on red blood cell distribution width and included 1,221 patients with RA and 983 control individuals.
Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. The authors declared no conflict of interests.
Source: Zinellu A and Mangoni AA et al. Platelet and red blood cell volume indices in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Diagnostics . 2022;12(11):2633 (Oct 30). Doi: 10.3390/diagnostics12112633.