Research Article
Mohamed OSDA, Azmy GJ, Elfadl
Abstract
Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-organ autoimmune disorder with wide variety of clinical presentations. Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a parameter routinely tested to describe the heterogeneity of red blood cells. Many researches have assessed independently selective different heamatological markers that may reflect disease activity. Our study aims to examine a number of heamatological parameters that could reflect disease activity, and to assess if there is a relationship between different heamatological parameter (RDW, neutrophils and lymphocytes) to reflect SLE activity using systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI). Results: RDW was higher in active SLE patients(30 patients) when compared to inactive SLE patients (30 patients) and controls (30 matched controls) and that RDW positively correlates with SLEDAI score and 24 h Urinary proteins better than lymphocytes and neutrophils count. Conclusion: There is a relationship between RDW and SLE activity, but not with lymphocytes and neutrophils count which raises the importance for considering RDW to be used as a predictor of disease activity