Complete blood cell count March 2019
====================================

* Howard Homler

**TO THE EDITOR**: The review by May et al1 of 3 neglected numbers in the complete blood cell count (CBC) was a good reminder to look more closely at the results of the CBCs we often order in primary care. I was surprised to see no mention of the red cell distribution width in relation to another cardiovascular disorder—obstructive sleep apnea.2,3 I wonder if the authors would comment on this association?

*   Copyright © 2019 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

## REFERENCES

1.  May JE, Marques MB, Reddy VVB, Gangaraju R. Three neglected numbers in the CBC: The RDW, MPV, and NRBC count. Cleve Clin J Med 2019; 86(3):167–172. doi:10.3949/ccjm.86a.18072
    
    [Abstract/FREE Full Text](http://www.ccjm.org/lookup/ijlink/YTozOntzOjQ6InBhdGgiO3M6MTQ6Ii9sb29rdXAvaWpsaW5rIjtzOjU6InF1ZXJ5IjthOjQ6e3M6ODoibGlua1R5cGUiO3M6NDoiQUJTVCI7czoxMToiam91cm5hbENvZGUiO3M6NToiY2Nqb20iO3M6NToicmVzaWQiO3M6ODoiODYvMy8xNjciO3M6NDoiYXRvbSI7czoyMjoiL2Njam9tLzg2LzYvMzY4LjEuYXRvbSI7fXM6ODoiZnJhZ21lbnQiO3M6MDoiIjt9) 

2.  Sökücü SN, Karasulu L, Dalar L, Seyhan EC, Altın S. Can red blood cell distribution width predict severity of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome? J Clin Sleep Med 2012; 8(5):521–525. doi:10.5664/jcsm.2146
    
    [CrossRef](http://www.ccjm.org/lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.5664/jcsm.2146&link_type=DOI) 
    
    [PubMed](http://www.ccjm.org/lookup/external-ref?access_num=23066363&link_type=MED&atom=%2Fccjom%2F86%2F6%2F368.1.atom) 

3.  Yousef AM, Alkhiary W. The severity of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is related to red cell distribution width and hematocrit values. J Sleep Disord Ther 2015; 4(2):1000192. doi:10.4172/2167-0277.1000192
    
    [CrossRef](http://www.ccjm.org/lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.4172/2167-0277.1000192&link_type=DOI)