Association between serum Bilirubin levels and acute inflammation of Appendix

Background: The aim of the study was to establish the association between serum bilirubin levels and acute inflammation of appendix. Methods: A Cross sectional study was conducted among 215 patients of acute appendicitis with or without complication in the Department of General Surgery, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal. These were subjected to investigations to support the diagnosis. These cases were also subjected to liver function tests and clinical diagnosis was confirmed perioperatively and post-operatively by histopathological examination. Their clinical and investigative data were compiled and analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using chi square test and t test. The level of significance was set at P< 0.05. Results: Total serum bilirubin was high in 74% of cases and so the remaining 26% was normal. There was a good positive correlation (rs = 0.606) between duration of appendicitis and serum bilirubin levels and this finding was statistically significant (p-0.000). Mean serum bilirubin level in appendicular perforation was more than acute appendicitis but the finding was statistically insignificant (p>0.05). Conclusion: With increase in the duration of appendicitis there was rise in the level of bilirubin in this study.