Diagnostic value of anorexia in acute appendicitis

ABSTRACT

Acute appendicitis is the most common cause of acute abdominal pain. Early diagnosis and management decrease morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis is usually based on clinical data; history and physical examination. Anorexia is present in almost all cases. In the absence of such symptoms, the probability of the disease decreases. This study was designed to determine sensitivity and specificity of anorexia in diagnosis of acute appendicitis. All cases of acute abdominal pain admitted in Shahid Rahnemoon and Aafshar hospitals Yazd Iran with primary diagnosis of acute appendicitis during 10 months were evaluated. History of anorexia was recorded and the patients were followed up to determine definite diagnosis by pathology report. Out of a total of 465 cases, 400 [86%] cases were confirmed of appendicitis. Three hundred thirty five [83.75%] of these patients and 49 [75.34%] of other patients had anorexia [P value =0.09]. Sensitivity was 83.75% and specificity was 24.61%. Positive predictive value was 87.2% and Negative predictive value was 19.8%. Anorexia increases probability of appendicitis but its absence cannot rule out diagnosis of acute appendicitis