Can D-dimer become a new diagnostic parameter for acute appendicitis?

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

In this study, we investigated D-dimer serum level as a diagnostic parameter for acute appendicitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Forty-nine patients were enrolled in the study. Patients were classified according to age; sex; duration between the beginning of pain and referral to a hospital or clinic; Alvarado scores; and in physical examination, presence of muscular defense, the number of leukocytes, preoperative ultrasonography, and D-dimer levels of histopathologic study groups were analyzed.

RESULTS:

Of the patients enrolled in the study, 26.5% were females and 73.5% males. The average age was 21 years (range, 16-38 years) and 81.7% acute appendicitis (AA). According the duration of pain, 63.2% of the patients were referred to the hospital within the first 24 hours, 26.5% of the patients were referred to the hospital within 24 to 48 hours, and 10.3% were referred to the hospital within a period of more than 48 hours. No statistically significant difference was determined regarding D-dimer levels between the histopathologic study groups (P > .05). Alvarado scores lower than 7 were found in 36.7% and 7 or higher in 63.3% of the patients. There was no statistically significant difference related with D-dimer levels between histopathologic study groups (P > .05). The ratio of cases with a number of leukocytes below the upper limit were determined respectively as 32.7% and 67.3%, and no statistically significant difference was found regarding d-dimer levels between histopathologic study groups (P > .05).

CONCLUSION:

Increased D-dimer levels should not be considered as a diagnostic parameter in diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

• Authors: Oner Mentes, Mehmet Eryilmaz, Ali Harlak, Tahir Ozer, Mujdat Balkan, Orhan Kozak, Turgut Tufan
• Journal: The American journal of emergency medicine (Am J Emerg Med) Vol. 27 Issue 7 Pg. 765-9 (Sep 2009) ISSN: 1532-8171 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19683101 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products
• fibrin fragment D

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Appendicitis (diagnosis)
• Female
• Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products (analysis)
• Humans
• Male
• Retrospective Studies
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Young Adult