The Relationship Between RDW/Albumin Ratio and Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Diverticular Bleeding

Dolu S.

3.Uluslararası Multidisipliner Tıp ve Sağlık Bilimleri Çalışmaları Kongresi, Ankara, Turkey, 27 - 28 May 2025, pp.1-2, (Summary Text)

  • Publication Type: Conference Paper / Summary Text
  • City: Ankara
  • Country: Turkey
  • Page Numbers: pp.1-2
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Diverticular bleeding is a leading cause of lower gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage in elderly patients,

often associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The red cell distribution width-to-albumin

(RDW/Alb) ratio has emerged as a potential biomarker reflecting systemic inflammation and

hypoperfusion. This study aimed to assess the prognostic value of RDW/Alb in patients presenting with

diverticular bleeding. This retrospective cross-sectional study included patients aged ≥18 years

diagnosed with diverticular bleeding between 2019 and 2024 at two tertiary centers. Demographic,

clinical, and laboratory data were collected, including RDW, albumin, hemoglobin, INR, platelet count,

Oakland score, and shock index. Outcomes assessed were hospitalization, transfusion, surgical

intervention, 1-month rebleeding, and mortality. A total of 181 patients were included (mean age:

76.3 ± 10.7 years; 93 females, 51.4%). Hypertension (71.8%), coronary artery disease (39.8%), and

diabetes mellitus (29.3%) were the most common comorbidities. Medication use included clopidogrel

(18.2%), DOACs (11.0%), warfarin (5.5%), and NSAIDs (15.5%). Mean hemoglobin was 9.5 ± 2.4

g/dL, RDW 16.4 ± 3.2%, and albumin 3.41 ± 0.53 g/dL. The mean Oakland score was 21.2 ± 5.6, and

shock index was 0.70 ± 0.21. Of all patients, 144 (79.6%) were hospitalized, 10 (5.5%) died, 9 (5.0%)

underwent surgery, and 10 (5.5%) experienced rebleeding within one month. RDW/Alb was

significantly higher in patients who died (p=0.002) and required transfusion (p<0.001). It showed no

significant difference in relation to hospitalization (p=0.06), surgery (p=0.351), or rebleeding (p=0.07).

RDW/Alb was moderately correlated with Oakland score (r=0.509, p<0.001) and weakly correlated

with shock index (r=0.272, p<0.001). RDW/Alb may serve as a practical and cost-effective prognostic

biomarker in diverticular bleeding