A study of neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a predictor of complicated appendicitis

Abstract

Introduction: Appendicitis is one of the most common surgical pathologies. It is classified into complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis. Neutrophil Lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an easily available lab parameter which can be used to differentiate complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis.Aims and objectives: To identify the reliability of NLR as a predictor of complicated appendicitis and to study the association of increased NLR with complicated appendicitis, among the cases of appendicitis who presented to our tertiary care centre.Methodology: This a retrospective study of all the cases operated for appendicitis in surgical department of Dr. Pinnamaneni Siddhartha Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Foundation over a period of 2 years. Clinical details were retrieved from case records and data was analysed using IBM SPSS version 21. Results and conclusion: Total sample size was 250 (Male-193, Female-57), Mean age 30.6 ±15.294 years. The mean value of the NLR for Complicated appendicitis based on ROC analysis is 7.3 ± 2.98 and area under ROC curve was 0.7, with a Sensitivity of 98% and a specificity of 65% for predicting complicated appendicitis. NLR is a reliable preoperative investigation to predict complicated appendicitis.