Evaluation of CRP (C-Reactive Protein) and Procalcitonin as Diagnostic Markers in Acute Appendicitis

Abstract

Background: One of the most prevalent abdominal crises is acute appendicitis. Many efforts have been directed towards early diagnosis and intervention. Delay in diagnosis leads to increase morbidity and costs. Present study was aimed to evaluate the correlation of CRP and PCT with perioperative ndings in suspected cases of acute appendicitis and to nd whether they can aid in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Material and Methods: Present study was hospital based screening test study, conducted patients of age > 18 years, either gender, who presented with right iliac fossa pain lasting < 48 hours and were tentatively diagnosed with acute appendicitis, underwent surgery. Results: Among 115 patients with acute appendicitis, most of patients belong to age group of 21 to 30 years (45.2 %) followed by 31 to 40 and 10 to 20 years (18.3 %). Out of 115 patients 40 (34.8%) patients were females and 75 (65.2%) patients were males. CRP was positive in 84 (73.04%) and procalcitonin was positive in 66 (57.39%) patients with acute appendicitis. CRP had a sensitivity of 72.82%, a specicity of 25%, a positive predictive value of 89.29%, and a negative predictive value of 9.68 %. Procalcitonin had a sensitivity of 57.28 %, a specicity of 41.67 %, a positive predictive value of 89.39 %, and a negative predictive value of 10.20%. Conclusion: Elevation in CRP as well as procalcitonin levels only cannot be used for nal diagnosis of acute appendicitis, but it can act as an adjunct when evaluating the available clinical and laboratory