Red blood cell distribution width as a prognostic marker in patients with heart failure and diabetes mellitus

Background Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is an established prognostic marker in acute and chronic heart failure (HF). Recent studies have pointed out a link among RDW, diabetes mellitus (DM) and inflammation. We sought to investigate the prognostic value and longitudinal pattern of RDW in patients with concomitant HF and DM, which remains unknown.