Hyperbilirubinemia and Hyponatremia as Predictors of Complicated Appendicitis

Several studies have reported elevated serum bilirubin or reduced serum sodium levels in patients with complicated appendicitis (CA). This study examined the efficacy of hyperbilirubinemia, hyponatremia, and both combined in the preoperative diagnosis of CA. Patients who underwent surgery for acute appendicitis were included in this retrospective review. In total, 247 patients were included in the final analysis. Of these, 36 (14.2%) had early appendicitis, 177 (72.0%) had acute suppurative appendicitis, 32 (13.0%) had necrotizing/gangrenous acute appendicitis, and 2 (0.8%) had other types of appendicitis. The mean total bilirubin (TBIL) level was significantly higher in patients with CA than in those with uncomplicated appendicitis. Conversely, the mean serum sodium level was significantly lower in patients with CA than in those with uncomplicated appendicitis. The levels of TBIL (odds ratio: 1.098, 95% CI: 1.052–1.147) and serum sodium (odds ratio: 0.743, 95% CI: 0.646–0.855) were associated with CA. Hyponatremia combined with hyperbilirubinemia yielded significant discriminatory value for the diagnosis of CA. TBIL and serum sodium levels can be considered as adjuvant parameters in the diagnosis of perforated/necrotizing appendicitis. Although hyperbilirubinemia and hyponatremia together were better able to determine the risk of CA than either marker alone, other markers are required to definitively predict CA. Furthermore, large-scale studies are needed to confirm these findings.