The Systemic Inflammatory Response in Patients with Appendicitis: a Progressive Phenomenon

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Surgical Pathology
• Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

• The systemic inflammatory response (SIRS) is recognized in appendicitis.
• Characterizing the progression of SIRS from symptom onset to diagnosis is crucial for understanding appendicitis.
• Previous studies have not fully detailed this temporal progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe and characterize the systemic inflammatory response to appendicitis.
• To analyze the progression of inflammatory markers in relation to time intervals from symptom onset to diagnosis.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted.
• 183 patients with appendicitis were divided into four groups based on time from symptom onset to diagnosis.
• White blood cell count, temperature, respiratory rate, and C-reactive protein levels were measured.

Main Results:

• White blood cell count showed no significant differences across diagnostic intervals.
• Temperature peaked after 72 hours (p=0.001), and respiratory rate increased after 73 hours (p<0.0001).
• C-reactive protein levels rose progressively, with higher levels observed after 48 hours (p=0.005). Most patients exhibited 3-4 SIRS criteria after 73 hours (p<0.0001).

Conclusions:

• The inflammatory response in appendicitis is progressive.
• Inflammatory markers become more pronounced as the time from symptom onset to diagnosis increases.
• This progressive nature highlights the importance of timely diagnosis and intervention for appendicitis.