Role of red cell distribution width in predicting the outcome in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock

Abstract

In the twentieth century, the epidemiology of many diseases changed dramatically over the world. While the worldwide burden of lethal diseases such as smallpox, plague, and cholera has decreased substantially, non-communicable diseases have increased medical attention. The word sepsis" comes from the Greek word "sepo", meaning decay or putrefaction, which describes the decomposition of organic matter in a manner that results in decay and death (Geroulanos et al., 2006)