Is the red cell distribution width a predictive parameter in patients with cubital tunnel syndrome requiring surgery

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether haemogram parameters are predictive factors for both the severity of the disease and a decision in favour of surgical treatment in patients with an established diagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS). Methods: The medical files of patients with a diagnosis of CuTS who were followed-up conservatively (n=92) or operated on (n=92) were retrospectively screened. The haemogram parameters were recorded. Results: Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed an area of 0.665 under the curve, with 76.3% sensitivity and 84.8% specificity at the cut-off of a red cell distribution width (RDW) level >15.45%. RDW levels >15.5%, electromyography (EMG) severity, and a clinical score >3 were found to be independently associated with surgery. Conclusion: An elevated RDW value was related to the severity of the electromyogram. RDW may, therefore, be a useful independent predictor for the decision to operate in CuTS. Level of Evidence III, Retrospective Study Key words Cubital tunnel syndrome. Haemogram parameters. Predictive parameter. RDW. Surgery