Published online Nov 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i43.16387
Revised: July 22, 2014
Accepted: September 12, 2014
Published online: November 21, 2014
Red cell distribution width is a measure of deviation of the volume of red blood cells. It is a marker of anisocytosis and often used to evaluate the possible causes of anemia. Elevated red cell distribution width levels are also associated with acute and chronic inflammatory responses. In nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, inflammation is accompanied with steatosis. For assuming red cell distribution width as a marker of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, intervening factors such as levels of inflammatory markers should also be evaluated.
Core tip: Red cell distribution width is a marker of anisocytosis and often used to evaluate the possible causes of anemia. Elevated red cell distribution width levels are also reported to be associated with acute and chronic inflammatory responses. In nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, hepatic steatosis is associated with hepatic inflammation. As red cell distribution width is not a specific marker, for assuming it as an indicating marker of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and fibrotic stage, other confounding factors such as levels of inflammatory markers might be evaluated.