Turkish Journal of Geriatrics 2014 , Vol 17, Issue 4
DIAGNOSTIC VALUE OF NEUTROPHIL/LYMPHOCYTE RATIO IN GERIATRIC CASES WITH APPENDICITIS
Erkan YAVUZ1, Candaş ERCETİN1, Emin UYSAL2, Süleyman SOLAK2, Aytaç BİRİCİK1, Hakan YİĞİTBAŞ1, Osman Bilgin GÜLÇİÇEK1, Ali SOLMAZ1, Rıza KUTANİŞ1
1Bagcilar Training and Research Hospital, Department of General Surgery Ä°STANBUL
2Bagcilar Training and Research Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine Ä°STANBUL
Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in geriatric patients who consulted to the emergency department with a diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

Materials and Method: A total of 43 cases over 65 years of age operated with a diagnosis of appendicitis (Group 1) between January 2009 and December 2013, and 81 unoperated cases (Group 2; Control Group) were evaluated retrospectively. Age, gender, leukocyte count, neutrophil and lymphocyte values, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, imaging, and operative and pathological findings for both groups were evaluated.

Results: A significant difference was found between Groups 1 and 2 with respect to leukocyte and neutrophil counts and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (p<0.001). No statistically significant differences were found for distribution of age, lymphocyte count, and gender. Receiver operating characteristics curve was drawn with existing data for neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio; when we take 3,93 for cut-off value sensitivity was %92.5 and spesifity was %59.3. In pathological evaluation of 43 patients in Group 1, perforated (n=4), gangrenous and phlegmonous (n=36) and acute (n=3) appendicitis were detected.

Conclusion: Preoperatively, the estimated neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio can be accepted as easily available, adjunctive data that contributes to the diagnosis of appendicitis at a lower cost. Keywords : Aged; Geriatric; Appendicitis; Neutrophils; Leukocytes