Predictive Factors to Diagnose Appendicitis in Children in the Emergency Department

Abstract

Introduction

The most common surgical condition in children is appendicitis. However, making a diagnosis can be difficult due to poor communication and difficulty in the physical examination.

Objective

This study aimed to determine the accurate clinical predictive factors for the diagnosis of appendicitis in children in the emergency department (ED).

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 2015 to December 2019. The electronic medical records were reviewed from 1043 pediatric patients younger than 15 years with the chief complaint of abdominal pain and were admitted to the ED during the study period. The patients were divided into either the appendicitis group or non-appendicitis group. The two groups were compared in terms of baseline characteristics, abdominal symptoms and signs, symptom durations, laboratory results, final diagnosis, treatment in the ED, ED disposition, morbidity, and mortality. The significant predictive factors for the diagnosis of appendicitis were examined using univariate and multivariate analyses by logistic regression.

Results

Predictive factors for the diagnosis of appendicitis in pediatric patients with abdominal pain were gradual increase in abdominal pain (odds ratio (OR) 3.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.51–7.58), right lower quadrant abdominal tenderness (OR 21.07, 95% CI 9.12–48.67), presentation of peritoneal irritation signs (OR 12.57, 95% CI 5.28–29.92), and an absolute neutrophil count >75% (OR 4.68, 95% CI 2.3–9.51). The significant variables were used to develop a diagnostic predictive probability scoring system that ranged from 0.05 to 0.95. The receiver operating characteristic curve indicated a cut-off point of 0.089 to predict pediatric appendicitis with an area under the curve of 0.963.

Conclusion

The predictive factors for diagnosing appendicitis in children are useful in determining which children require surgical intervention. However, the clinical symptoms and physical examination of the abdomen continue to be the most important diagnostic tools for the diagnosis of appendicitis in children.

Keywords:

• appendicitis
• abdominal pain
• diagnosis
• children

Data Sharing Statement

The retrospective data used to support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Kingkarn Waiyanak for searching and retrieval of articles, Glenn K. Shingledecker for his help in editing the manuscript, the Epidemiology Unit for their assistance, and the Faculty of Medicine for funding this research.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.