Progresión de la respuesta inflamatoria sistémica en pacientes con apendicitis

Abstract

Introduction: The systemic inflammatory response has been described in patients with appendicitis. However, its progression from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis has not been characterized. The purpose of this study was to describe and characterize the systemic inflammatory response to appendicitis. Patients and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted. One-hundred eighty-three patients were studied divided into four groups from onset of symptoms to diagnosis. Primary outcome measure was to determine the systemic inflammatory response to appendicitis according to the established groups of time intervals. Secondary outcome measure was the analysis of C-reactive protein for the same purpose. Results: The systemic inflammatory response variables according to diagnostic intervals showed non-significant differences on white blood cells count. Temperature and heart rate rises constantly after 48 h reaching their peak after 72 h (p = 0.001); the respiratory rate rises after 73 h (p < 0.0001). After 73 h most patients had 3 or 4 systemic inflammatory response criteria (p < 0.0001). C-reactive protein levels rise progressively showing higher levels after 48 hours (p = 0.005). Conclusions: The inflammatory response to appendicitis is progressive, being more marked along the timeline from onset of symptoms to diagnosis.