Red Cell Distribution Width is a strong predictor for Multiple Myeloma

By using keywords and following the PRISMA guidelines they extracted data from search engines like PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases. Relevant parameters were extracted and combined for statistical analysis. The effect sizes were presented as hazard ratio (HR)/odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). HR/OR > 1 in MM patients with high RDW suggested a worse prognosis. Heterogeneity test evaluation was performed using Cochran's Q test and I2 statistics. 

Results: 

• 8 articles involving 9 studies with 1165 patients were included in the meta-analysis.
• Elevated RDW was significantly associated with poor prognosis in MM.
• A significant correlation was not found between RDW and International Staging System (ISS) staging. 

 Thus, the researchers concluded that in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients red cell distribution width was a strong predictor of the disease. 

To read the full article, click here: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-022-09902-9 

Chen, X., Liu, J., Duan, J. et al. Is RDW a clinically relevant prognostic factor for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma? A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Cancer 22, 796 (2022).