Diagnostic Accuracy of C-Reactive Protein in Acute Appendicitis

Objective: To determine diagnostic accuracy of C-reactive protein in acute appendicitis. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Surgical unit Combined Military Hospital Gujranwala Pakistan, from Apr 2019 to Jan 2021. Methodology: One hundred and twenty patients were included in the study following the inclusion criteria after their written permission and willingness. C-reactive protein levels were sent pre-operatively to the Pathology department of Combined Military Hospital Gujranwala. Patients were operated on by two classified surgeons. After open and laparoscopic appendectomies, specimens were sent to Histopathologists at Armed Forces Institute of Pathology Rawalpindi. Results were compared to determine the diagnostic accuracy of C-reactive protein. Results: Out of 120 patients, 72(60%) were males and 48(40%) were females. The diagnostic accuracy of C-reactive protein in acute appendicitis was calculated by keeping tissue diagnosis histopathology as the gold standard, where 82(68.33%) were true positive, 7(5.84%) were false positive, 13(10.83%) were true negative, and 18(15%) were false negative. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy were 89.13%, 67.86%, 90.11%, 65.52% and 84.17% respectively. Conclusion: The of C-reactive protein level test for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis was very sensitive but not very specific. C-reactive protein levels should be measured routinely in suspected cases of acute appendicitis, along with Total Leucocyte Count and ultrasound abdomen, as a useful marker for early diagnosis, thus reducing negative appendectomy rates.