ABSTRACT
Background: Acute appendicitis is very common surgical emergency that demands precise and timely diagnosis for optimal patient outcomes. The Alvarado Score and Modified RIPASA Score are two widely utilized clinical scoring systems aimed at aiding in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Our current research aims to assess and associate diagnostic efficacy of these two scoring systems in determining the likelihood of acute appendicitis.
Aim: The main goal of our current research is to assess and associate diagnostic accuracy of the Alvarado Score and Modified RIPASA Score in distinguishing between cases of acute appendicitis and non-appendicitis in a cohort of patients presenting through abdominal pain and suspected appendicitis.
Methods: A prospective observational study will be conducted, involving 250 patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of acute appendicitis. The Alvarado Score and Modified RIPASA Score will be calculated for each participant based on medical signs, symptoms, and laboratory investigations. Diagnostic imaging, such as ultrasound or computed tomography scans, will be performed as per standard clinical practice. The diagnostic performance of each scoring system will be assessed by comparing them against the final diagnosis determined by histopathology of the removed appendices.
Results: The results of this study will provide a comprehensive analysis of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of both the Alvarado Score and Modified RIPASA Score. Additionally, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis will be employed to evaluate the overall diagnostic accuracy of each scoring system. Subgroup analyses based on age, gender, and other relevant demographic factors will also be explored.
Conclusion: Our current research aims to contribute valuable insights into comparative effectiveness of the Alvarado Score and Modified RIPASA Score in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. The findings will guide clinicians in selecting the most reliable scoring system for accurate and prompt decision-making, ultimately improving patient care and reducing unnecessary surgeries.
Keywords: Acute appendicitis, Alvarado Score, Modified RIPASA Score, diagnostic accuracy, clinical scoring systems, appendectomy, abdominal pain, surgical emergency.