Abstract

Introduction: Red cell distribution width is a parameter frequently increased in chronic inflammation, metabolic disorders, and different human cancers. However, the relationship between RDW and gallbladder cancer (GBC) has been poorly documented. Objective: To evaluate the association between RDW with different laboratory parameters (biomarkers) and evaluate the survival curve in patients with GBC. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective study with univariate and multivariate analyses. The cases were divided into two large groups according to RDW values, previously defined cutoff value; RDW ≤ 14.5% (n = 20) and RDW >14.5% (n= 15), to evaluate the association with laboratory parameters and clinicopathologic variables. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate survival as a function of time. Results: The higher the stage of GBC patients, the greater the tendency to have higher RDW values (stage IV 14.86 ± 1.184 vs III 13.41 ± 2.189 vs II 12.80 ± 2.393; p=NS). No significant correlation was found between RDW values and clinicopathological data. A significant association was observed between an RDW value >14.5% and higher serum concentration of creatinine (p=0.01) and sodium (p=0.0069). The univariate analysis showed that those patients who had a high level of total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and chlorine presented a lower GBC survival (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that RDW was not an independent prognostic factor for GBC (p=0.079), as were direct bilirubin (p=0.013) and alkaline phosphatase in our cohort (p=0.012). Conclusion: There was no a significant correlation between the RDW level and the prognosis of patients with advanced GBC. Bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase proved to be predictive biomarkers of this disease