Letters To The Editor
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World J Gastroenterol. Nov 21, 2014; 20(43): 16387-16388
Published online Nov 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i43.16387
Red cell distribution width and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Yasemin Gulcan Kurt, Tuncer Cayci, Fevzi Nuri Aydin, Mehmet Agilli
Yasemin Gulcan Kurt, Tuncer Cayci, Department of Biochemistry, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, 06010 Ankara, Turkey
Fevzi Nuri Aydin, Department of Biochemistry, Sirnak Military Hospital, 73000 Sirnak, Turkey
Mehmet Agilli, Department of Biochemistry, Agri Military Hospital, 04000 Agri, Turkey
Author contributions: Gulcan Kurt Y and Cayci T wrote this letter; Aydin FN and Agilli M revised the letter.
Correspondence to: Yasemin Gulcan Kurt, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Gn Dr Tevfik Sağlam Caddesi, 06010 Ankara, Turkey. ygkurt@gata.edu.tr
Telephone: +90-312-3043304 Fax: +90-312-3043304
Received: May 20, 2014
Revised: July 22, 2014
Accepted: September 12, 2014
Published online: November 21, 2014
Processing time: 184 Days and 6.4 Hours
Abstract

Red cell distribution width is a measure of deviation of the volume of red blood cells. It is a marker of anisocytosis and often used to evaluate the possible causes of anemia. Elevated red cell distribution width levels are also associated with acute and chronic inflammatory responses. In nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, inflammation is accompanied with steatosis. For assuming red cell distribution width as a marker of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, intervening factors such as levels of inflammatory markers should also be evaluated.

Keywords: Red cell distribution width; Steatohepatitis; Inflammatory markers; Steatosis; Fibrosis

Core tip: Red cell distribution width is a marker of anisocytosis and often used to evaluate the possible causes of anemia. Elevated red cell distribution width levels are also reported to be associated with acute and chronic inflammatory responses. In nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, hepatic steatosis is associated with hepatic inflammation. As red cell distribution width is not a specific marker, for assuming it as an indicating marker of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and fibrotic stage, other confounding factors such as levels of inflammatory markers might be evaluated.