Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) Level as one of the Alternative Diagnostic Tools in Stroke Patients

Abstrak

Background: Stroke is an emergency that requires prompt treatment. Non-contrast head computed tomography (CT) is the preferred imaging modality for diagnosing stroke due to its accessibility and speed, but it’s not always available. There are many alternative diagnostic scales for stroke, such as the Siriraj and Gadjah Mada scores, but their specificity remains low. In stroke patients, inflammation increases oxidative stress and is thought to increase Red cell distribution width (RDW).Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of RDW as an alternative diagnostic method in stroke patients.Methods: This cross-sectional study examined secondary data from the medical records of 120 stroke patients at Al-Ihsan Regional Hospital in June-August 2024. Inclusion criteria were stroke patients who underwent RDW and CT scans. Patients who were previously diagnosed with stroke, with anemia or with a history of anemia, and patients with hemolytic disorders were all excluded.Results: RDW levels in ischemic stroke were higher and statistically significant with a z score = 4.68, and a p value < .00001.Conclusion: The RDW value can be considered an alternative diagnostic tool for determining stroke in remote areas.