[Red cell distribution width and mortality following hospital discharge in patients over 70 years of age].

Background And Objective: To examine whether red cell distribution width (RDW) performs as a mortality predictor after hospital discharge in patients over 70 years of age and if its prognostic power is superior to other laboratory parameters.

Patients And Methods: Longitudinal and prospective study of 426 patients admitted to the Internal Medicine Department who survived hospitalization. Sociodemographic and comorbidity factors, functional and cognitive status as well as disease parameters causing admission (diagnosis, analytical parameters, length of stay) were collected.