Scoring System for Differentiation of Complicated Appendicitis in Pediatric Patients: Appendicitis Scoring System in Children

Although several scoring systems have been used to differentiate simple acute appendicitis from perforated appendicitis, no particular system has been widely accepted. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate preoperative factors associated with complicated appendicitis and to develop a scoring system that distinguishes complicated appendicitis in children aged <10 years. Patients aged <10 years who underwent surgical treatment for acute appendicitis between 2011 and 2019 were included in this study, after excluding those with insufficient medical records, with other diseases that affect the length of hospitalization, or without formal reports of abdominal computed tomography (CT) or ultrasonography (US). Complicated appendicitis was defined as hospitalization for ≥5 days postoperatively or readmission within 30 days postoperatively. Patient characteristics, symptoms, physical examination, laboratory data, and radiographic results were collected to determine predictors of complicated appendicitis. The mean age of 279 patients was 7.3 years. Among them, 57 patients had complicated appendicitis. A scoring system was developed based on the following 5 independent risk factors derived from multiple logistic regression analysis: body temperature, anorexia, diarrhea, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, and presence of periappendiceal free fluid on CT or US. The scoring system resulted in an area under the curve of .898 ( P < .001). For patients aged <10 years, a new model that includes objective factors, such as body temperature, CRP levels, and radiography results, might help predict complicated appendicitis and determine treatment plans.

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A Novel Scoring System for Early Assessment of the Risk of the COVID-19-associated Mortality in Hospitalized Patients: COVID-19 BURDEN

10.1101/2022.01.09.22268975 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Fatemeh Amirzadehfard ◽

Mohammad Hossein Imanieh ◽

Sina Zoghi ◽

Faezeh sehatpour ◽

Peyman Jafari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Score ◽

Scoring System ◽

Virus Disease ◽

Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Laboratory Data ◽

Area Under The Curve ◽

Diagnostic Efficiency ◽

Early Assessment ◽

Severity Of The Disease ◽

Care Costs

Background: Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) presentation resembles common flu or can be more severe; it can result in hospitalization with significant morbidity and/or mortality. We made an attempt to develop a predictive model and a scoring system to improve the diagnostic efficiency for COVID-19 mortality via analysis of clinical features and laboratory data on admission. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 480 consecutive adult patients, aged 21-95, who were admitted to Faghihi Teaching Hospital. Clinical and laboratory features were extracted from the medical records and analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: A novel mortality risk score (COVID-19 BURDEN) was calculated, incorporating risk factors from this cohort. CRP (> 73.1 mg/L), O2 saturation variation (greater than 90%, 84-90%, and less than 84%), increased PT (>16.2s), diastolic blood pressure (≤75 mmHg), BUN (>23 mg/dL), and raised LDH (>731 U/L) are the features comprising the scoring system. The patients are triaged to the groups of low- (score <4) and high-risk (score ≥ 4) groups. The area under the curve, sensitivity, and specificity for predicting non-response to medical therapy with scores of ≥ 4 were 0.831, 78.12%, and 70.95%, respectively. Conclusion: Using this scoring system in COVID-19 patients, the severity of the disease will be determined in the early stages of the disease, which will help to reduce hospital care costs and improve its quality and outcome.

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Derivation and validation of a novel clinical decision aid to distinguish between uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis in children.

10.21203/rs.3.rs-23218/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Stavros P. Loukogeorgakis ◽

Christina Major ◽

Ceri E Jones ◽

Harriet J. Corbett ◽

Semiu Eniola Folaranmi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prediction Model ◽

Operative Treatment ◽

Scoring System ◽

Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Laboratory Data ◽

Complicated Appendicitis ◽

Histopathological Analysis ◽

Characteristic Analysis ◽

Independent Cohort

Abstract Aim of Study:Non-operative treatment of acute uncomplicated appendicitis (UA) in children might be equally effective to surgery but requires accurate discrimination from those with complicated appendicitis (CA) to ensure safety and maximise efficacy. We aimed to identify specific clinical and laboratory parameters that would aid distinction between UA and CA in children.Methods:Retrospective review of consecutive children with a clinical +/- radiological diagnosis of acute appendicitis that underwent appendicectomy in three specialist paediatric surgical centres between March 2017 and February 2018. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were retrieved and analysed in relation to intra-operative and histopathological findings. CA was defined as gangrene and/or perforation seen intra-operatively and/or in histopathological analysis. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to derive a novel prediction model that could accurately distinguish UA and CA. A priori we set analytical parameters so as to ensure the score had a positive predictive value (PPV) for UA of >95%. The resulting scoring system was validated in an independent cohort of children.Main Results: The prediction model was derived from 130 children (UA: 71; CA: 59) with median age (range) 10 (2-15) years. Initial univariate analysis identified six factors significantly associated (p<0.01) with CA (duration of abdominal pain, presence of rebound tenderness, temperature, , white cell count, , neutrophil count and C-reactive protein [CRP]). These variables were entered in the regression model, and points awarded based on the adjusted odds ratios. Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated a threshold of ≥4 points for prediction of CA. The scoring system was validated in an independent cohort of 112 children (UA: 51; CA: 61); it was found to have a sensitivity of 98% and specificity 78%. A score of <4 points had a PPV for UA of 98%.Conclusions: Our novel scoring system can discriminate between UA and CA in children with high accuracy. Children with a score <4 could be eligible for non-operative treatment.

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Can RIPASA Scoring System Predict the Pathological Stage of Acute Appendicitis?

Emergency Medicine International ◽

10.1155/2019/8140839 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Banu Karapolat

Keyword(s):

Acute Appendicitis ◽

Scoring System ◽

Histopathological Examination ◽

Perforated Appendicitis ◽

Scoring Systems ◽

Strong Positive Correlation ◽

Preoperative Period ◽

Pathological Stage ◽

High Diagnostic Accuracy ◽

Prompt Diagnosis

Introduction. Being one of the scoring systems used in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis, the RIPASA score can be used easily with a high diagnostic accuracy. Objective. To evaluate the possible relationship between RIPASA scores and the histopathological examination results of appendectomy materials. Materials and Methods. This study retrospectively reviews 242 patients who were operated in our clinic between January 2016 and January 2018 with a prediagnosis of acute appendicitis, and the RIPASA scores calculated in the preoperative period were compared to the histopathological examination results of the appendectomy specimens. Results. The patients consisted of 124 (51.2%) females and 118 (48.8%) males. The ages of the patients ranged from 15 to 81 years. The patients were divided into 3 groups based on their RIPASA scores as low-score (4-7), intermediate-score (7.5-11.5), and high-score (12 and over) groups. There were 20 (52.6%) catarrhal-stage appendicitis cases and 17 (44.7%) normal appendixes in the low-score group; there were 70 (83.3%) catarrhal-stage appendicitis cases, 9 (10.7%) suppurative-stage appendicitis cases, 4 (4.8%) gangrenous-stage appendicitis cases, and 1 (1.2%) perforated appendicitis case in the intermediate-score group. In the high-score group, there were 53 (44.2%) suppurative-stage appendicitis cases, 51 (42.5%) gangrenous-stage appendicitis cases, 11 (9.2%) perforated appendicitis cases, and 5 (4.2%) catarrhal-stage appendicitis cases. A strong positive correlation was found between the RIPASA scores of the patients and the pathological stage of appendicitis (r=0.889; p<0.001). Conclusion. The RIPASA scoring system can make a correct and prompt diagnosis of acute appendicitis including its possible pathological stage without any need for a computed tomography.

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“A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF RIPASA SCORE AND ALVARADO SCORE IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF ACUTE APPENDICITIS”

10.36106/ijar/3200856 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 25-28

Author(s):

M. Vijaya Kumar ◽

Manasa Manasa

Keyword(s):

Acute Appendicitis ◽

Diagnostic Accuracy ◽

Predictive Value ◽

Scoring System ◽

Local Population ◽

Scoring Systems ◽

Signs And Symptoms ◽

Alvarado Score ◽

Predictive Values ◽

Ripasa Score

Acute appendicitis is the most common condition encountered in the Emergency department .Alvarado and Modied Alvarado scores are the most commonly used scoring system used for diagnosing acute appendicitis.,but its performance has been found to be poor in certain population . Hence our aim was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of RIPASA and ALVARADO Scoring system and study and compare sensitivity, specicity and predictive values of these scoring systems. The study was conducted in Government district hospital Nandyal . We enrolled 176 patients who presented with RIF pain . Both RIPASA and ALVARADO were applied to them. Final diagnosis was conrmed either by CT scan, intra operative nding or post operative HPE report. Sensitivity,specicity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, diagnostic accuracy was calculated both for RIPASA and ALVARADO. It was found that sensitivity and specicity of the RIPASA score in our study are 98.7% and 83.3%, respectively. PPV and NPV were 98.1% and 88.2% and sensitivity and specicity of the Alvardo score in our study are 94.3% and 83.3%, respectively. PPV and NPV were 98% and 62.5%.Diagnostic accuracy of RIPASA score and Alvarado score are 97% and 93% respectively. RIPASA is a more specic and accurate scoring system in our local population when compared to ALVARADO . It reduces the number of missed appendicitis cases and also convincingly lters out the group of patients that would need a CT scan for diagnosis (score 5-7.5 ) BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis is one of the most commonly dealt surgical emergencies, with a lifetime prevalence rate of approximately 1 one in seven. The incidence is 1.5–1.9 per 1,000 in the male and female population, and is approximately 1.4 times greater in men than in women. Despite being a common problem, it remains a difcult diagnosis to establish, particularly among the young, the elderly and females of reproductive age, where a host of other genitourinary and gynaecological inammatory conditions can present with signs and symptoms that are 2 similar to those of acute appendicitis. A delay in performing an appendectomy in order to improve its diagnostic accuracy increases the risk of appendicular perforation and peritonitis, which in turn increases morbidity and mortality. A variable combination of clinical signs and symptoms has been used together with laboratory ndings in several scoring systems proposed for suggesting the probability of Acute Appendicitis and the possible subsequent management pathway. The Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Appendicitis (RIPASA) and ALVARADO score are new diagnostic scoring systems developed for the diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis and has been shown to have signicantly higher sensitivity, specicity and diagnostic accuracy. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES PRIMARY OBJECT 1. To compare RIPASA Scoring system and ALVARADO Scoring system in terms of diagnostic accuracy in Acute Appendicitis. 2. To study and compare sensitivity, specicity and predictive values of above scoring systems. SECONDARY OBJECT 1. To study the rate of negative appendicectomy based on above scoring systems. CONCLUSION: The RIPASA score is a simple scoring system with high sensitivity and specicity for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. The 14 clinical parameters are all present in a good clinical history and examination and can be easily and quickly applied. Therefore, a decision on the management can be made early. Although the RIPASA score was developed for the local population of Brunei, we believe that it should be applicable to other regions. The RIPASA score presents greater Diagnostic accuracy and Sensitivity and equal specicity as a diagnostic test compared to the Alvarado score and is helpful in making appropriate therapeutic decisions. In hospitals like ours, the diagnosis of AA relies greatly on the clinical evaluation performed by surgeons. An adequate clinical scoring system would avoid diagnostic errors, maintaining a satisfactory low rate of negative appendectomies by adequate patient stratication, while limiting patient exposure to ionizing radiation, since 21 there is an increased risk of developing cancer with computed tomography, particularly for the paediatric age group.

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Simple versus complicated appendicitis

International Surgery Journal ◽

10.18203/2349-2902.isj20214481 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mahendra Pal Singh

Keyword(s):

Acute Appendicitis ◽

Clinical Experience ◽

Surgical Techniques ◽

Perforated Appendicitis ◽

Complicated Appendicitis ◽

Natural Course ◽

Intraluminal Pressure ◽

Research Papers

Aim of this study is to understand appendicitis in its various presentations. We encounter patients in different stages of the disease. One end of the spectrum is presenting with simple acute appendicitis while other extreme is represented by serious cases of perforated appendicitis. In between cases with various stages of complications could be seen. Simple appendicitis progresses towards complicated one in its natural course. Rise in intraluminal pressure leads to gangrenous perforation. Expertise of the treating surgeon lies in timely detection and intervention. Desired and favorable results are possible to achieve with judicious use of gastrointestinal surgical techniques by the expert. Present study reviews the literature, different research papers and studies available. My own clinical experience in the understanding of appendicitis and its management has enabled me to shape up the article.

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Outcome of diagnosed cases of appendicitis and diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound of the appendix

Journal of Gandaki Medical College-Nepal ◽

10.3126/jgmcn.v13i1.27691 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 56-59

Author(s):

Bhoj Raj Sharma ◽

Nawaraj Paudel ◽

Santwana Parajuli ◽

Sushma Singh ◽

Madhu Maya Timilsina

Keyword(s):

Acute Appendicitis ◽

Diagnostic Accuracy ◽

Surgical Outcome ◽

Perforated Appendicitis ◽

College Teaching ◽

Free Fluid ◽

Pelvic Cavity ◽

Negative Appendectomy ◽

Ultrasound Scan ◽

Suspected Appendicitis

Background: Acute appendicitis is the most common condition requiring an emergency ultrasound scan as well as surgery. Several scoring systems for acute appendicitis has been suggested to improve diagnostic accuracy and decrease the negative appendectomy rate. In this study, we have evaluated the diagnostic performance of ultrasound on the diagnosis of acute appendicitis, other appendicular pathology, and correlate with surgical outcome. Material and methods: This retrospective study included 776 cases of ultrasound scan reports in which the appendix was visualized and not visualized or equivocal. Data were collected from October 2014 to April 2019 from different department and wards of Gandaki Medical College Teaching Hospital and Research Center (GMCTHRC). All the cases with diagnosed acute appendicitis, appendicular lump, and appendicular abscess were included and were followed for its surgical outcome. The surgical note or post-operative findings served as the reference standard for determining whether perforation was present or not. Result: There were 776 ultrasound scans for suspected appendicitis out of which 423 (54.5%) were diagnosed as appendicular pathology. Out of 423 diagnosed cases, 192 (45.4%) were males and 231 (54.6%) were females, with age ranging from 24 months to 87 years. Sonographic findings, in these positive subjects, suggested acute appendicitis, appendicular lump, abscess, and amount of free fluid in right iliac fossa (RIF) and pelvic cavity. Frank acute appendicitis was present in 378 (89.3%) cases, eight (1.9%) cases had an appendicular abscess, 23 (5.4%) had an appendicular lump and 14 (3.3%) had perforated appendicitis. Conclusion: We conclude that ultrasound is a good modality for visualization of appendicitis with other appendicular pathology. We could follow a structured report and identify pathology more specifically. Ultrasound is an easy and non-invasive test to investigate.

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Predictive value of scoring systems for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in emergency department patients: Is there an accurate one?

Hong Kong Journal of Emergency Medicine ◽

10.1177/1024907919840175 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 27 (5) ◽

pp. 262-269

Author(s):

Rohat Ak ◽

Fatih Doğanay ◽

Ebru Unal Akoğlu ◽

Haldun Akoğlu ◽

Aslı Bahar Uçar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Inflammatory Response ◽

Acute Appendicitis ◽

Area Under The Curve ◽

Scoring Systems ◽

Acute Inflammatory Response ◽

Quadrant Pain ◽

Lower Quadrant Pain ◽

Lower Quadrant ◽

Right Lower Quadrant Pain ◽

Right Lower Quadrant

Background: Acute appendicitis is one of the challenging surgical conditions presented in the emergency departments. Clinical scoring systems were developed to reduce the negative appendectomy rate and also to avoid unnecessary diagnostic evaluation. Objectives: The primary aim was to compare the clinical adequacy of the Alvarado, Acute Inflammatory Response, and the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Appendicitis scores in patients with right lower quadrant pain for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Methods: This was a prospective and observational study. All patients over the age of 18 years who presented with a complaint of right lower quadrant pain were enrolled. The Alvarado, Acute Inflammatory Response, and Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Appendicitis scoring systems were compared. The patients were either admitted or followed-up as out-patient. Face-to-face or telephone follow-up visits were arranged for the patients who did not have surgery and who were not admitted. Results: 232 patients were included and 14 patients were excluded from the study. Of the 218 patients, 114 patients underwent surgery. Of the 114 patients, 107 patients were pathologically diagnosed with acute appendicitis. It was determined that Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Appendicitis score was the most valuable score with 0.88 accuracy, followed by Acute Inflammatory Response (area under the curve = 0.79) and Alvarado (area under the curve = 0.71) scores. Conclusion: The accuracy of Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Appendicitis scoring system was higher for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis than the other scores. The cut-off of the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Appendicitis score from a 7.5-point threshold provides a practical, non-invasive, rapid diagnostic method that increases acute appendicitis discriminative power in patients presenting with right lower quadrant pain.

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Role of Blood Stasis Syndrome of Kampo Medicine in the Early Pathogenic Stage of Atherosclerosis: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2021/5557392 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Akira Morita ◽

Takao Namiki ◽

Toshiya Nakaguchi ◽

Kazunari Murai ◽

Yuki Watanabe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Glucose Tolerance ◽

Characteristic Curve ◽

Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Laboratory Data ◽

Blood Stasis ◽

Area Under The Curve ◽

Kampo Medicine ◽

Blood Stasis Syndrome ◽

History Of

In Kampo medicine, blood stasis (BS) syndrome is strongly associated with microangiopathy and can lead to atherosclerosis. Vascular endothelial dysfunction (VED), evaluated through flow-mediated dilation (FMD), plays an important role in the early stages of atherosclerosis. However, the association of BS syndrome with VED, as determined using FMD, has not been reported. This study investigated the association between BS syndrome and VED using FMD. Forty-one patients with normal glucose tolerance or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and without macrovascular complications were evaluated using FMD from May 2017 to August 2017. Based on the BS score, the patients were divided into the non-BS (n = 19) and BS syndrome (n = 22) groups. Physical and background characteristics, physiological function test results, and laboratory data were compared. Univariate analysis revealed that FMD and a history of dyslipidemia/IGT were significantly different between the two groups ( p < 0.05 ). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that BS syndrome was significantly associated with FMD (odds ratio: 6.26; p = 0.03 ) after adjusting for the history of dyslipidemia/IGT. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the area under the curve for BS syndrome (0.74; p < 0.001 ) and history of IGT ( p < 0.007 ) provided good diagnostic accuracy for FMD. The area under the curve for “BS syndrome + IGT” showed very good accuracy (0.80; p < 0.0001 ) and was higher than that for BS syndrome or IGT alone. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that the BS score in Kampo medicine could be a useful tool for detecting the early pathogenic stages of atherosclerosis.

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Milyen hatása van a COVID–19-járványnak a gyermekkori akut appendicitisekre?

Orvosi Hetilap ◽

10.1556/650.2021.32189 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 162 (16) ◽

pp. 608-610

Author(s):

Balázs Fadgyas ◽

Gábor István Garai ◽

Zoltán Ringwald

Keyword(s):

Statistical Analysis ◽

Acute Appendicitis ◽

Antibiotic Treatment ◽

Laparoscopic Appendectomy ◽

Perforated Appendicitis ◽

Complicated Appendicitis ◽

Histological Findings ◽

Exact Test ◽

Fisher's Exact Test ◽

Fisher’S Exact Test

Összefoglaló. Bevezetés: A COVID–19-pandémia miatt a gyermekkori appendicitisek kezelésében számos változás történt (laparoszkópia helyett nyílt műtét, antibiotikumkezelés). Világszerte emelkedett a szövődményes appendicitisek aránya. Célkitűzés: Munkánk során a COVID–19-járványnak a gyermekkori akut appendicitisekre kifejtett hatását szerettük volna vizsgálni: lett-e több perforált eset? Módszerek: A 2012 és 2020 között akut vakbélgyulladás miatt operált gyermekeket vizsgáltuk, külön, havi bontásban a 2020-as eseteket. A szövettani diagnózis alapján perforált és nem perforált appendicitis csoportokat alkottunk. A 2020-ban operált betegek COVID–19-statusát is rögzítettük. Statisztikai analízisre a khi2-próbát (’chi2 test for trend’) és a Fisher-féle egzakt tesztet alkalmaztuk. Eredmények: A vizsgált időszakban 1343 appendectomia történt, többségében nem perforált akut appendicitis miatt (1166/1343). 2015-től kezdődően a perforált esetek aránya szignifikáns emelkedést mutat (p = 0,0002). Az igazoltan COVID–19-pozitív betegek között magasabb volt a perforáltak aránya (5/8), mint az igazoltan negatív betegek között (15/92) (p = 0,0075). Megbeszélés: A nemzetközi trendeknek megfelelően 2020-ban osztályunkon is magasabb volt a perforált appendicitisek aránya, mint a korábbi években. Ez az emelkedés 2015-től tart, a pandémiával nem mutat szoros összefüggést. A perforált appendicitisek COVID–19-pozitív betegek között észlelt magas arányának okát nem ismerjük. Következtetés: További vizsgálat indokolt annak feltárására, hogy mi okozza a perforált appendicitisek COVID–19-pozitív betegek között észlelt magas, illetve 2015 óta emelkedő rátáját. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(16): 608–610. Summary. Introduction: As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the management of paediatric appendicitis has changed (open instead of laparoscopic appendectomy, antibiotic treatment). The number of complicated appendicitis cases increased worldwide. Objective: Our aim was to study the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on paediatric acute appendicitis: has there been more perforated cases? Methods: Children operated because of acute appendicitis between 2012 and 2020 were studied. Cases from the year 2020 were analysed monthly. Patients were divided into perforated and non-perforated appendicitis groups according to their histological findings. COVID-19 status of patients in 2020 was studied. Chi2 test for trend and Fisher’s exact test were used for statistical analysis. Results: In the study period, 1343 appendectomies were performed. The majority of our cases were non-perforated (1166/1343). The rate of perforated appendicitis cases has been increasing from 2015 (p = 0.0002). The number of perforated cases was higher in COVID-19 positive patients (5/8) then in negative ones (15/92) (p = 0.0075). Discussion: In line with the international trend, more perforated appendicitis cases were treated in our departement in 2020. However, this increase started in 2015, and there is no correlation with the COVID-19 pandemic. The cause of the increased number of perforated cases in COVID-19 positive appendicitis patients is unknown. Conclusion: The causes of the high proportion of perforated cases in COVID-19 positive patients and the rising rate of perforated appendicitis cases since 2015 need further studies. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(16): 608–610.

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Diagnostic Accuracy of the Alvarado Scoring System in Patients Undergoing Appendicectomy at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka

University of Zambia Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences ◽

10.53974/unza.jabs.4.2.441 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 21-28

Author(s):

Songiso Mutumba ◽

◽

J Mulundika ◽

Keyword(s):

Acute Appendicitis ◽

Diagnostic Accuracy ◽

Teaching Hospital ◽

Roc Curve ◽

Scoring System ◽

Area Under The Curve ◽

University Teaching ◽

Alvarado Score ◽

Negative Case ◽

The University

Background: The use of the Alvarado scoring system as a tool for diagnosing acute appendicitis has been associated with a reduction of negative appendicectomies. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the Alvarado scoring system at predicting acute appendicitis in patients undergoing appendicectomy at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH). Methods: A prospective study was done to evaluate the diagnostic value of the Alvarado score in patients undergoing appendicectomy at the UTH. Data was collected from the participants diagnosed with acute appendicitis and undergoing appendicectomy. The Alvarado scores for all the participants enrolled into the study were tabulated and correlated with the histopathology results. The sensitivity and the specificity of the Alvarado score was determined and used to construct the ROC curve using the SPSS version 20. The area under the curve was used to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the Alvarado score in this study. Setting: The University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. Results: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of the Alvarado score the ROC curve test was run in SPSS version 20. The results showed that the area under the curve was C=0.842 with SE=0.047 and 95% CI from 0.750 to 0.934. The area under the curve represents the probability that the Alvarado score result for a randomly chosen positive case will exceed the result for a randomly chosen negative case. It shows from the ROC that the Alvarado score is a good indicator to anticipate acute appendicitis. In other words, these results have confirmed that the Alvarado scoring system has very high predictive ability to discriminate acute appendicitis from normal appendix subjects. Conclusion: The use of the Alvarado scoring system as a tool for diagnosing acute appendicitis at UTH will reduce the rate of negative appendicectomies. This will lead to a reduction in unnecessary operations, which are a burden on the health care system.

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