Relationship between red cell distribution width and early renal injury in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus

Previous studies found that red cell distribution width was related to adverse cardiovascular events. However, few studies reported the relationship between red cell distribution width and early-stage renal injury in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Using a cross-sectional design, 334 pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus were enrolled according to the criterion of inclusion and exclusion. Demographic and clinical examination data were collected. Depended on the urine albumin, study population were divided into case group (n?=?118) and control group (n?=?216). Compared with control group, the case group tend to be higher red cell distribution width level (13.6?±?0.9 vs.12.5?±?0.6, p?<?0.001). The red cell distribution width was positively associated with albuminuria creatinine ratio (r?=?0.567, p?<?0.001). Multiple logistic regressions showed that red cell distribution width was still associated with early-stage renal injury after adjusting for many other potential cofounders. Compared with the first quartile, the risk ratio of the second, the third and the fourth quartile were 1.38 (95%CI: 1.06–1.80), 1.57 (95%CI: 1.21–2.97), 2.71 (95%CI: 2.08–3.54), respectively. Besides, systolic blood pressure, estimated glomerular filtration rate, uric acid and blood urea nitrogen were also significantly associated with renal injury in gestational diabetes mellitus patients. The elevated red cell distribution width level might be a predictor of early-stage renal injury in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus. As an easy and routine examination index, red cell distribution width may provide better clinical guidance when combined with other important indices.