Xueni Cheng,1,2 Jian Liu,1,2 Shengfeng Liu,1 Dahai Fang,1 Xiaolu Chen,1 Xiang Ding,1 Xianheng Zhang,1 Yiming Chen,1 Yang Li1 

1Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province, People’s Republic of China; 2Anhui Key Laboratory of Application and Development of Internal Medicine of Modern Chinese Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province, People’s Republic of China

Correspondence: Jian Liu, Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 13955109537, Email liujianahzy@126.com

Abstract: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by chronic inflammation and autoimmunity. Moreover, the disease activity, co-morbidities, and prognosis of RA are closely associated with changes in red blood cell (RBC)-related parameters. The role of these parameters in RA has therefore been extensively studied. Accordingly, this article summarizes and analyzes the close relationship of RBC-related parameters such as RBC count, hemoglobin, and RBC distribution width with disease activity, co-morbidities, and prognosis in RA by reviewing the available literature. In addition, given the immunomodulatory functions of RBCs, their surface proteins, contents, and microparticles are involved in the immunomodulatory process during RA. Overall, this review aims to assess the important clinical value and immunological significance of RBCs and their related parameters in the monitoring and management of RA, thus providing a reference for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of RA and the direction for the research on RBC-related immunity.

Keywords: rheumatoid arthritis, red blood cell, disease activity, clinical value, inflammation, immunity