Can d-dimer become a new diagnostic parameter for acute appendicitis?
American Journal of Emergency Medicine, cilt.27, sa.7, ss.765-769, 2009 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 27 Sayı: 7
- Basım Tarihi: 2009
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.ajem.2008.06.001
- Dergi Adı: American Journal of Emergency Medicine
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.765-769
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
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. © 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.