ROLE OF NEUTROPHIL/LYMPHOCYTE RATIO IN DIAGNOSIS OF ACUTE APPENDICITIS

Background Acute appendicitis is one of the most common causes of acute abdomen. Its accurate diagnosis and immediate surgery are important, because the disease itself and its operation carry a potential risk of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to detect the role of Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio in diagnosis of acuteappendicitis and detection of the severity of the inflammation. Objectives The relation between the values of NLR and positive appendectomy and normal appendectomy. The relation between Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio and the degree of severity of inflammation in acute appendicitis. Methods This prospective study was performed in Emergency Hospital of Slemani from February, 25th, 2012 to November, 29th, 2012 on 200 patients who were admitted with clinical suspicion of acute appendicitis. Data were collected regarding demographical aspects of patients, presentations, pre operative care, investigations including complete blood counts, histopathological examination of the all specimens after surgery. Results There were 78(39%) males and 122 females (61%). Male: female ratio was 1:1.25. The age ranges from 5 to 67 years. The mean age of acute appendicitis was 25.94±12.4. Histopathological examination revealed normal appendix in 74 patients. The normal appendectomy rate was (36.7%). The rate of normal appendectomy in females was (43.3%), while among males it was (26.9%). In (85%) of patients with acute appendicitis there were elevated Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) ≥ 3.5 with specificity of (72%), and accuracy of (80%), and Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio was increased with increasing the degree of inflammation. Conclusion The Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio is an easy and applicable investigation which can be helpful in diagnosis of acute appendicitis, and detecting the severity of the inflammation.