Role of Serum C-Reactive Protein and White Blood Cells in the Diagnosis of the Patients with Suspected Appendicitis: A Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Uses of some laboratory investigations in the diagnosis of patients with suspected acute appendicitis have been widely used. However, white blood cell count (WBCC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were routine requested in patients with suspected appendicitis.  This work  of prospective study aimed to assess the useful of WBCC and CRP value in diagnosis of patient with suspected appendicitis.  A prospective cohort study were performed. WBCC and CRP were measured prospectively in patients presenting with lower right abdominal pain at the surgery department of Alwahda hospital in Derna city. The  results were correlated with each patient’s outcome. It shown that uses of WBCC and CRP tests in combination had sensitivity ( 65%) ; specificity  (75%) ; PV (+) 92.8% and  PV (-) 30%.  Also CRP had the highest degree of diagnostic accuracy than WBCC {sensitivity, 81.2%; specificity, 68.7%; PV (+), 92.8%; PV (-), 42.3% & sensitivity, 72.5%; specificity, 50%; PV (+), 87.8%; PV (-), 26.6%}, respectively. Despite of that the result may have an important clinical and economic implication. The diagnosis of appendicitis should be mainly depended on clinical examination finding and include others helpful investigations such as Ultrasound and CT scan.