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