Can LUC differentiate complicated appendicitis in the geriatric age group?

Full abstract

Read the full abstract

Aim Appendicitis in the geriatric age group accounts for 5%-10% of all acute appendicitis. In this study, we aimed to find out the diagnostic value of LUC, which is investigated as a new inflammatory parameter in acute complicated appendicitis in patients over 65 years of age, and whether WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, platelet count, NLR, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), CRP, DNI, and procalcitonin can differentiate complicated appendicitis in the geriatric age group. Methods Between January 2020 and December 2023, 274 patients aged ≥65 years who were operated on for acute appendicitis at Ankara Bilkent City Hospital and histopathologically proven to have acute appendicitis were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups according to the pathology report: simple-noncomplicated appendicitis or complicated appendicitis (intra-abdominal abscess, gangrene/necrosis, perforation). Demographic and clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, surgical procedure, and histopathologic results were obtained from the patients’ medical records. Non-complicated and complicated groups were compared for LUC at diagnosis, as well as WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, platelet counts, NLR, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), CRP, and DNI values. Results WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, L/M ratio, N/L ratio, and procalcitonin values were significantly higher in the complicated appendicitis group. Conclusion We think that the LUC value cannot distinguish complicated appendicitis in a patient over 65 years of age diagnosed with acute appendicitis; other parameters we found significant should be taken into consideration, and treatment can be planned accordingly.