Predictive Value of Red Cell Distribution Width and Mean Platelet Volume in the Diagnosis and Determination of Severity in Acute Appendicitis Cases

Aim: We aimed to determine the clinical value of erythrocyte distribution width (RDW) and mean platelet volume (MPV) in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis (AA) and in determining the severity of the disease. Method: Patients who were operated between January 2013 and January 2020 with a preliminary diagnosis of AA were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups as Group 1 negative appendectomy and Group 2 acute appendicitis. In addition, Group 2 is divided into subgroups as a:perforated and b: non-perforated. RDW and MPV were compared between the groups and subgroups. Results: A total of 861 patients participated in our study. Group 1 consisted of 144 patients and Group 2 consisted of 717 patients. The mean age was similar in both groups (33.02 vs 35.34, p=0.088), female sex was higher in Group 1 (52.8% vs 42.9, p=0.019), RDW was higher in Group 1 (14.03 vs 13.67, p=0.007), MPV was similar between the groups (8.81 vs 8.95, p=0.363). RDW was an independent risk factor in the diagnosis of AA in multivariate analysis (odds ratio 0.604, 95% confidence interval (minimum-maximum) 0.420-0.868, p=0.006). RDW and MPV were independent variables in the diagnosis of perforated appendicitis in multivariate logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: RDW is a useful parameter in the diagnosis of AA and in determining the severity of the disease. However, MPV value does not have sufficient diagnostic value.