ABSTRACT
Introduction: Acute appendicitis is the most common abdominal emergency encountered in general surgery.Purpose: In this study, diagnostic accuracy of Procalcitonin, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Bilirubin as a biomarker in acuteappendicitis and its complications have been analyzed. 82 patients with clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis or appendicealperforation were studied. Method: The serum Procalcitonin, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), and Bilirubin were carried out in allthe patients. The diagnosis was confirmed USG reports and intra-operative findings and those differing from the pre-operativediagnosis were excluded from the study.Results: 53 patients (64.6%) were males while the remaining 29 patients (35.4%) were females. The mean age in our studypopulation (82 patients) was 25.9 ± 11.5 years. The average age in females 27.8±12.6 years was slightly higher than males24.9±10.8 years. 65 patients (79.3%) were diagnosed as acute appendicitis pre-operatively while 17 patients (20.7%) werediagnosed with Appendiceal perforation. The mean level of procalcitonin, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Bilirubin were found tohave increased in both acute appendicitis and appendiceal perforation. The mean procalcitonin levels in patients diagnosedwith acute appendicitis was 2.2 ±0.9 ng/mL (range, 0.8– 3.4 ng/mL) while in patients diagnosed with Appendiceal perforationwas 2.7±0.8 ng/mL (range, 1.5– 4.6 ng/mL). The mean bilirubin levels in patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis was0.7 ± 0.4 mg/dL (range, 0.09– 1.6 mg/dL) while in patients diagnosed with Appendiceal perforation was 0.8±0.2 mg/dL(range, 0.5– 1.2 mg/dL). The mean CRP levels in patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis was 1.4 ± 0.5 mg/dL (range, 0.5–2.2 mg/dL) while in patients diagnosed with Appendiceal perforation was 1.8±1.1 mg/dL (range, 0.9– 6.0 mg/dL). Sensitivity ofProcalcitonin, C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and bilirubin in predicting acute appendicitis and appendiceal perforation diagnosiswas 64.6%, 41.54% and 16.9% respectively.Conclusion: The findings indicate that procalcitonin is a useful marker of acute appendicitis with abscess and/or perforationthan CRP and Serum bilirubin.