European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

MODIFIED ALVARADO SCORING SYSTEM IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF ACUTE APPENDICITIS

Binni John, *Geo Paul Kurikkattayil Jose, Ebitha Kalarikkal Elias and Rosin George Varghese

ABSTRACT

Background: In any case of acute appendicitis, arriving at correct diagnosis is essential, because simple appendicitis can progress to perforation. Study aims to find out the sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of Modified Alvarado Scoring System in cases of acute appendicitis. Methodology: A prospective study was carried out from 1st September 2015 to 31st august 2016 among 150 consecutive patients undergoing appendicectomy for acute appendicitis in the Department of General Surgery, in a tertiary care centre. Modified Alvarado Scoring (MAS) system and ultrasound scan was applied to all cases Sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of MAS system calculated and cut off value of MAS for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis found out using Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve. Results: Modified Alvarado Scoring System was found to have a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 86.3%, 54.5%, 96% and 24% respectively. Diagnostic accuracy was 84%. Cut off score for diagnosis is 5.5. Conclusions: Modified Alvarado score (MAS) is a sensitive tool in finding out cases of acute appendicitis, however it is not specific enough in confirmation of the diagnosis.

Keywords: Appendicitis, Modified Alvarado Score (MAS), Sensitivity, Specificity.