Usefulness of RIPASA Score In Diagnosing Acute Appendicitis

Saima Awan, Nighat Bakhtiar, Asad Ali Kerawala, Syeda Sakina Abidi

Abstract

Objective 

To determine the diagnostic accuracy of RIPASA score in detecting acute appendicitis.

Study design 

Cross sectional - Descriptive.

Place & Duration of study

Department of Surgery, Dow University of Health Sciences Karachi (DUHS), from August 2017 to June 2018.

Methodology•

One hundred and thirty patients aged 10 years to 60 years with right lower quadrant pain were included. Baseline laboratory tests including blood CP and urine analysis were sent for all patients. Total score of RIPASA was calculated and highly suspected acute appendicitis patients underwent open appendectomy. Histopathology of specimen of appendix was performed. Sensitivity and specificity of RIPASA score was calculated along with positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy.

Results •

Mean age of the patients was 27.04±10.39 years. RIPASA score sensitivity in detecting acute appendicitis was 47.6%, specificity 85.7%, positive predictive value (PPV) 98.4%, negative predictive value (NPV) 8.3% and diagnostic accuracy 49.6%.

Conclusion

RIPASA score was not a reliable diagnostic method in diagnosing patients of acute appendicitis.

Key words 

Diagnostic accuracy, RIPASA score, Acute appendicitis, Abdominal pain.