Mean platelet volume, red cell distribution width, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and platelet to lymphocyte ratio in the diagnosis acute appendicitis

INTRODUCTION: Mean platelet volume (MPV), red cell distribution width (RDW), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) have been seperately reported to be a laboratory markers in several inflammatory diseases, including acute appendicitis. However, the results of these studies are conflicting. The aim of this study was to simultaneously investigate MPV, RDW, platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and NLR have a diagnostic role in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis and also the relationship between these systemic inflammation marker and leukocyte count.
METHODS: Thirty patients with acute appendicitis and 30 age-matched healthy subjects. RDW, MPV, neutrophils, lymphocytes and platelet counts were evaluated with complete blood count. The NLR and PLR were calculated as the ratios of the neutrophils and platelets to the lymphocytes.
RESULTS: NLR and leukocyte count were significantly higher in the acute appendicitis patients compared to controls (both p<0.01), while RDW levels were significantly lower (p=0.041). There were no statistically significant differences regarding platelet numbers, MPV levels and PLR between acute appendicitis and healthy subjects (p>0.05). There was a significant correlation between leukocyte count and NLR (p<0.01, r=0.365). However, leukocyte count was not correlated with RDW and MPV levels (p>0.05).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The current study is the first to investigate MPV, RDW, PLR and NLR in acute appendicitis patients. We found significantly increased NLR and leukocyte count in acute appendicitis patients compared to healthy subjects. Combined use of NLR and RDW values along with leukocyte count and other clinical assessment could help the diagnostic process of acute appendicitis.