CRP/Albumin index as a predictor of complicated appendicitis: beyond clinical signs

Acute appendicitis is the most frequently abdominal emergency, with a frequency of 8.6% in men and 6.7% in women. The most important complication is perforation in up to 32% of patients. Diagnosis based on clinical data, physical and laboratory examination, complemented by imaging studies. It is usually treated with appendectomy. However, the use of antibiotics has been reported to be effective in the treatment of uncomplicated appendicitis. However, some delay in surgery increases the risk of perforation. This study seeks to establish a significant correlation between the CRP/Albumin index and the presence of complications, for early diagnosis, and clinical decision making with the aim of reducing associated morbidity.

Retrospective, descriptive and cross-sectional study in 53 patients with acute appendicitis diagnosed in the emergency and hospitalization unit of a second level hospital in Mexico between October 2022 and November 2023.

The CRP/Albumin index showed statistical significance with a value of p = 0.003. The predictive capacity of the CRP/Albumin index was evaluated, showing a sensitivity and specificity of 75% and an area under the curve of 0.8177, with an CRP/Albumin index (CAI) of 16.

The CRP/Albumin index presents good predictive capacity to identify cases of complicated appendicitis, it was not possible to establish a cut-off point.