The role of basic laboratory parameters in diagnosing acute appendicitis
and determining disease severity in the elderly
Abstract
Background: Abdominal pain constitutes the most common complaint for
geriatric patients who present to the emergency department, with nearly
20% suffering from acute appendicitis (AA). Although key for diagnosis,
clinical symptoms tend to be weak and atypical in the elderly.
Therefore, patients present late to health institutions. Hence,
prognosis and complication rates are worse in the elderly. Here, we
aimed to reveal the role of basic laboratory parameters in diagnosing AA
and determining disease severity. Methods: 143 elderly patients who
underwent appendectomy were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were
divided into three groups based on AA severity as Group I: negative
appendectomy (n=15); Group IIa: uncomplicated appendicitis (n=79); Group
IIb: complicated appendicitis (n=49). Results: We found no difference
between the groups for age, sex, or comorbid diseases
(p>0.05). As the time of admission to the hospital
increases, the severity of the disease increases. Group IIb had higher
length of stay and complication rates (p<.0.05) Conclusions:
Preoperative WBC, neutrophil, NLR, MPV, CRP, and direct and total
bilirubin levels can be used as biomarkers to determine AA diagnosis in
the elderly. NLR, PLR, RDW, CRP, and direct and total bilirubin levels
can be used to determine the presence of complications in appendicitis.