Association of red cell distribution width with serum lipids in Lianyungang rural population with hypertension

Objective To examine the relationship between red cell distribution width(RDW) and serum lipids in rural hypertensives in Lianyungang. Methods An epidemiological investigation was carried out, from May 2008 to July 2009, in residents aged 45 to 75 who were enrolled randomly in a rural area of Lianyungang. Standardized questionnaire investigation and physical examination were conducted to collect information on medical history, cardiovascular risk factors, etc. Red blood cell distribution width-coefficient of variation (RDW-CV), serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol were measured using automatic clinical analyzers (Beckman Coulter), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol was calculated by Friedewald equation. Multiple linear regression model was performed to determine the relationship between red cell distribution width and serum lipids. Results In the study, 10 906 participants with hypertension were included in the final analysis. After adjusting for sex, age, BMI, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood-glucose, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, smoking and drinking, RDW-CV was negatively associated with total cholesterol(β=-8.11, S_x=0.55,P<0.001), triglyceride(β=-3.73, S_x=0.79,P<0.001), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(β=-0.96,S_x=0.17,P<0.001) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (β=-6.41, S_x=0.50, P<0.001). In the further stratified analysis, a greater association between RDW-CV and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(age≥60 versus <60, P for interaction<0.001)was observed in participants with higher age. Conclusions In conclusion, our results suggest that red cell distribution width was associated with total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol.