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Evaluation of plasma serotonin concentration in acute appendicitis
U Kalra1, N Chitkara, R C Dadoo
1Department of Surgery, Pt B D Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak, Haryana.
Summary
Diagnosing acute appendicitis is challenging due to the lack of reliable markers. This study found that plasma serotonin levels are significantly elevated in patients with acute appendicitis, offering a potential diagnostic tool.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Biochemistry
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Acute appendicitis diagnosis relies heavily on clinical presentation due to a lack of specific biomarkers.
- Developing reliable diagnostic markers for acute appendicitis is crucial for timely and accurate patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate plasma serotonin levels as a potential diagnostic marker for acute appendicitis.
- To determine the sensitivity and specificity of plasma serotonin levels in diagnosing acute appendicitis.
Main Methods:
- Plasma serotonin levels were measured in 48 patients with histologically confirmed acute appendicitis.
- Levels were also measured in 27 patients with abdominal pain from other causes and 20 healthy controls.
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare serotonin levels across groups.
Main Results:
- Patients with acute appendicitis exhibited significantly higher plasma serotonin levels (36.6 ± 12.5 nmol/L) compared to other groups (12.5 ± 3.6 nmol/L and 10.4 ± 3.5 nmol/L).
- The test demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy with 93.8% sensitivity and 95.7% specificity for acute appendicitis.
- Elevated serotonin levels were particularly notable in the initial 48 hours of the condition.
Conclusions:
- Plasma serotonin level serves as a reliable biochemical marker for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.
- This finding offers a promising new avenue for improving the diagnostic accuracy of acute appendicitis, especially in early stages.