[Value of plasma C-reactive protein and lactate dehydrogenase levels in the diagnosis of intestinal obstruction in an emergency department]. / Proteína C reactiva y lactato deshidrogenasa en el diagnóstico de la obstrucción intestinal en un servicio de urgencias.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal obstruction is one of the most frequent surgical emergencies. Its diagnosis is essentially based on clinical history, physical exploration and image tests. The aim of this study was to analyze the diagnostic value of acute phase reactants in patients with benign versus malign intestinal obstruction. METHOD: Historical cohort study of 53 patients who underwent surgery because of intestinal obstruction and/or non-obstructive colorectal cancer. The patients were placed in three groups: group 1 (colorectal cancer with intestinal obstruction) (n=23), group 2 (benign intestinal obstruction)(n=10) and group 3 (non-obstructive cancer of the colon)(n=20). We determined the initial plasma values of the C-reactive protein (CRP) and the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)enzyme. RESULTS: CRP was quantitatively higher in patients with benign intestinal obstruction (group 2) (p=0.001), while LDH was quantitatively higher in group 1 (patients with obstructive cancer). The plasma levels of LDH were significantly greater in the groups with intestinal obstruction (groups 1 and 2) than in patients without obstruction (p<0.001). Plasma levels of CRP above 11 mg/l and of LDH above 317 U/L showed an acceptable diagnostic value for differentiating patients with intestinal obstruction, with areas under the ROC curve of 80% (CI 95% = 68-92%) and 86% (CI 95%= 75-96%)respectively. Their diagnostic value for differentiating benign or malign origin is lower, with areas under the ROC curve of 56% for levels of CRP > 24 ng/l (CI 95% = 30-82%) and 52% (CI 95% = 29-74%) for levels of LDH > 359 U/L. CONCLUSION: Determination of plasma concentrations of CRP can help in the diagnosis of intestinal obstruction and indicate its benign or malign origin in emergency services.

Proteína C reactiva y lactato deshidrogenasa en el diagnóstico de la obstrucción intestinal en un servicio de urgencias / Value of plasma C-reactive protein and lactate dehydrogenase levels in the diagnosis of intestinal obstruction in an emergency department

Fundamento: La obstrucción intestinal es una de las urgencias quirúrgicas más frecuentes. Su diagnóstico se basa esencialmente en la historia clínica, la exploración física y las pruebas de imagen. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el valor diagnóstico de reactantes de fase aguda en en la obstrucción intestinal y discernir su naturaleza benigna versus maligna. Método: Se ha realizado un estudio de cohortes histórico sobre 53 pacientes sometidos a cirugía por obstrucción intestinal y/o cáncer colorrectal no obstructivo. Los pacientes se encuadraron en 3 grupos: grupo 1 (cáncer colorrectal con obstrucción intestinal) (n=23), grupo 2 (obstrucción intestinal benigna) (n=10) y grupo 3 (cáncer de colon no obstructivo) (n= 20). Se determinan los valores plasmáticos iniciales de la proteína C reactiva (PCR) y el enzima lactato deshidrogenasa (LDH). Resultados: La PCR se elevó cuantitativamente más en pacientes con obstrucción intestinal benigna (grupo 2) (p=0,001), mientras que la LDH en el grupo 1 (pacientes con cáncer obstructivo). Los niveles plasmáticos de LDH fueron significativamente mayores en los grupos con obstrucción intestinal (Grupos 1 y 2) que en pacientes sin obstrucción (p<0,001). Niveles plasmáticos de PCR mayores de 11 mg/l y de LDH mayores de 317 U/L mostraron una validez diagnóstica aceptable para diferenciar los pacientes con obstrucción intestinal, con áreas bajo la curva ROC de 80% (IC 95% = 68- 92%) y de 86% (IC 95%= 75-96%) respectivamente. Su validez diagnóstica para diferenciar el origen benigno o maligno es menor, con áreas bajo la curva ROC de 56% para niveles de PCR > 24 ng/l (IC 95% = 30-82%) y de 52% (IC 95% = 29-74%) para niveles de LDH > 359 U/L. Conclusión: La determinación de las concentraciones plasmáticas de la PCR y la LDH pueden ayudar al diagnóstico de la obstrucción intestinal y orientar hacia su origen benigno o maligno en los servicios de urgencias (AU)

Background: Intestinal obstruction is one of the most frequent surgical emergencies. Its diagnosis is essentially based on clinical history, physical exploration and image tests. The aim of this study was to analyze the diagnostic value of acute phase reactants in patients with benign versus malign intestinal obstruction. Method: Historical cohort study of 53 patients who underwent surgery because of intestinal obstruction and/or non-obstructive colorectal cancer. The patients were placed in three groups: group 1 (colorectal cancer with intestinal obstruction) (n=23), group 2 (benign intestinal obstruction) (n=10) and group 3 (non-obstructive cancer of the colon) (n=20). We determined the initial plasma values of the Creactive protein (CRP) and the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) enzyme. Results: CRP was quantitatively higher in patients with benign intestinal obstruction (group 2) (p=0.001), while LDH was quantitatively higher in group 1 (patients with obstructive cancer). The plasma levels of LDH were significantly greater in the groups with intestinal obstruction (groups 1 and 2) than in patients without obstruction (p<0.001). Plasma levels of CRP above 11 mg/l and of LDH above 317 U/L showed an acceptable diagnostic value for differentiating patients with intestinal obstruction, with areas under the ROC curve of 80% (CI 95% = 68-92%) and 86% (CI 95%= 75-96%) respectively. Their diagnostic value for differentiating benign or malign origin is lower, with areas under the ROC curve of 56% for levels of CRP > 24 ng/l (CI 95% = 30-82%) and 52% (CI 95% = 29-74%) for levels of LDH > 359 U/L. Conclusion: Determination of plasma concentrations of CRP can help in the diagnosis of intestinal obstruction and indicate its benign or malign origin in emergency services (AU)