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Journal of Clinical Medicine Research

Original Article

Volume 9, Number 12, December 2017, pages 987-993

Acute Abdominal Pain Assessment in the Emergency Department: The Experience of a Greek University Hospital

Abdominal pain is one of the most common reasons for patient visits in the emergency department (ED) of tertiary care hospitals, and differential diagnosis in such cases is broad because of the wide spectrum of possible underlying pathologies. Assessment of patients with abdominal pain in the ED can be challenging and is based on patient history, combined with clinical, laboratory and radiological evaluation. Because timely evaluation of acute abdominal pain (AAP) may determine prognosis, emergency room physicians must consider several diagnoses and complete patient evaluation after taking into account all available clinical, laboratory and radiologic findings in a timely fashion, in an attempt to reduce morbidity and mortality [1-3]. It is worth noting that certain populations, such as elderly and immunocompromised patients can present with atypical signs and symptoms, and therefore evaluation of abdominal pain in these patients can be more difficult [4]. The aim of this study was to record data from patients with AAP who presented to the ED of a university hospital in western Greece, in an attempt to determine predictive factors for admission to the hospital.

This was a prospective observational study on 125 patients who presented with AAP in the ED of the University Hospital of Patras, Greece, in two time periods: October 1 through November 30, 2015 and April 15 through May 31, 2016. Patients were eligible to participate if they presented to the ED with AAP as the main symptom, and the study protocol was approved by the Hospital Research and Ethics Committee. Depending on patient’s condition, verbal consent for participation in the study was obtained from each patient or a designated family member, and was documented in writing by two researchers. Data were de-identified and stored in an electronic database in a secure, locked computer. The research team included consultants and resident physicians, staff nurses and medical students: consultants and resident physicians assessed patients and directed patient care, while medical students collected data.

For the purposes of this study, physicians and medical students completed a data form, which included information from the history, physical examination, laboratory tests and radiological imaging studies for each patient. Data collected included age, gender, past medical history, detailed information about pain, including pain onset, intensity (mild, moderate, and severe), character (continuous and colicky), location, migration, exacerbating and relieving factors, together with accompanying symptoms such as vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, hematemesis, melena, macroscopic hematuria, tachycardia, fever, anorexia, shivering, jaundice and rash. Data from physical examination of the abdomen included tenderness, location at palpation, evaluation of bowel sounds (normal, increased, and decreased), specific signs such as Murphy, McBurney, Psoas and rebound tenderness, rectal examination and vital signs. Laboratory test results, X-ray, ultrasound (U/S) and computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan data were also collected. Diagnosis in the ED, decision to admit the patient or not, and the ward where each patient was admitted were also recorded.

Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools, including frequencies for discrete variables or mean and standard deviation for continuous variables. Data analysis included Pearson’s Chi-square test for associations between categorical variables, independent sample t-tests for comparisons between groups and bivariate correlation analysis using Pearson’s coefficient. Binomial logistic regression was also performed in an attempt to identify factors predicting hospital admission. All data analysis was conducted using the SPSS Statistics version 17.0 software package, except for Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests, which were conducted using the StatCalc component of the Epi Info statistical software package, which is freely available from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). In order to avoid concerns about false positive findings due to multiple comparisons, P values for significance were adjusted to more stringent values using the Bonferroni correction.

Minimum patient age was 15 years and maximum age was 96 years (mean 46.16 years). Mean age was significantly higher in patients admitted to the hospital, compared to those not admitted (51.5 ± 23.7 vs. 43.0 ± 18.3, P < 0.044). 34.4% of patients were males and 65.6% were females, and there was no significant association between gender and hospital admission.

Pain onset was within the last 24 h prior to arrival in the ED in 62.4% of patients, within the last 1 - 5 days in 28% and more than 5 days before arrival to the ED in 9.6% of patients. With regards to pain intensity, 13.6% of patients reported mild pain, 44.8% reported moderate pain and 41.6% reported intense pain. Pain was described as continuous in 56.8% of the patients and colicky in 36%.

Most common pain location was in the epigastrium in 39.2% of cases, followed by diffuse pain in 18.4%, right upper abdominal quadrant pain in 15.2%, pain in the hypogastrium in 13.6%, right and left iliac fossa pain in 12.8% and left upper abdominal quadrant pain in 4.8% of patients.

Vomiting was the most common accompanying symptom, and was reported by 32.8% of patients, whereas diarrhea was present in 16%, constipation in 12%, fever in 18.4% and loss of appetite in 21.6% of patients (Table 1). Patients admitted to the hospital had significantly higher incidence of vomiting (23 of 47 vs. 18 of 78, P < 0.003) and fever (17 of 47 vs. 6 of 78, P < 0.001) compared to patients not admitted. In addition, admitted patients had higher frequency of tachycardia, diarrhea and anorexia, but differences were not significant. Pain intensity was also associated with hospital admission, so that the likelihood of hospital admission was significantly higher in patients with increasing pain intensity (P < 0.018). Furthermore, certain physical examination signs had higher prevalence in admitted patients: Murphy sign (7 of 47 vs. 3 of 78, P < 0.041), McBurney sign (11 of 47 vs. 2 of 78, P < 0.001) and rebound tenderness (16 of 47 vs. 2 of 78, P < 0.001). Frequency of physical and radiologic findings was compared in patients admitted to the hospital vs. patients not admitted to the hospital using the Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test as appropriate. However, after adjusting P values for significance to 0.05/16 = P < 0.031 using Bonferroni correction, only differences in McBurney sign and rebound tenderness remained significant between groups. Surgical consultation was requested in 47 (37.6%) patients, and the likelihood of hospital admission was significantly higher (31 of 47 vs. 16 of 78, P < 0.001) in these patients.

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Table 1. Vital Signs, Pain Intensity, Other Symptoms, Physical Findings, Radiologic Studies and Surgical Consultation in Patients Admitted vs. Patients Not Admitted to the Hospital

Data on pain intensity, physical and radiologic findings and surgical consultation are summarized in Table 1.

Laboratory variables were compared between patients who did vs. patients who did not get admitted to the hospital using Student’s t-test for independent variables, and the P value for significance was adjusted to 0.05/21 = 0.0023 using the Bonferroni correction, in order to avoid concerns about false positive findings due to multiple comparisons. Data analysis showed that, compared to patients who were not admitted, patients admitted to the hospital had significantly higher white blood cells (WBCs) (14,193 ± 6,182 vs. 9,641 ± 2,883, P < 0.001), higher neutrophil count (79.99 ± 9.21 vs. 67.72 ± 12.57, P < 0.001), lower lymphocyte counts (13.08 ± 7.28 vs. 24.19 ± 10.87, P < 0.001), and higher C-reactive protein (CRP) (5.57 ± 7.83 vs. 0.93 ± 1.91, P < 0.001). Laboratory data in patients admitted vs. patients not admitted to the hospital are presented in Table 2.

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Table 2. Laboratory Findings in Patients Admitted vs. Patients Not Admitted to the Hospital

Overall, we obtained chest X-rays in 67.2% of the patients, abdominal X-rays in 60%, abdominal U/S in 46.4% and abdominal CAT scan in 16.8%. Use of radiologic studies was higher in patients admitted to the hospital, and the difference was significant for chest X-rays (42 of 47 vs. 42 of 78, P < 0.001) and for CAT scan of the abdomen (15 of 47 vs. 6 of 78, P < 0.001), whereas differences with regard to X-rays and U/S of the abdomen were not significant. Abnormal findings on radiologic workup were significantly more common in admitted patients (35 of 77 vs. 23 of 78, P < 0.001).

After evaluation in the ED, 47 patients (37.6%) were admitted to the hospital and 78 (62.4%) were not. Depending on diagnostic workup findings, patients were admitted to different services: 25 (53.2%) were admitted in the internal medicine ward, 17 (36.2%) in the surgery ward and five (10.6%) in other wards.

Final diagnoses at the time patients left the ED to either be admitted to the hospital or be discharged to home are summarized in Table 3. It is worth pointing that in 13.6% of cases it was not possible to establish a diagnosis before the patient was discharged from the ED.

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Table 3. Diagnosis After Emergency Department Assessment

We considered an elevated WBC if WBCs > 12,000/mm³, an elevated CRP level if CRP > 0.5 mg/dL, abnormal imaging if any abnormal finding in the radiograph, U/S or CAT studies and fever if body temperature measured in the axilla was above 37.2 °C. Patients admitted to the hospital had significantly higher age (51.35 ± 23.7 vs. 43 ± 8.3 years, P < 0.03), higher WBC (14,194 ± 6,182/mm³ vs. 9,641 ± 2,883/mm³, P < 0.01) and CRP levels (5.57 ± 7.8 mg/dL vs. 0.93 ± 1.9 mg/dL, P < 0.01). Frequency of abnormal imaging findings was also significantly higher in admitted patients (35 of 77 vs. 23 of 78, P < 0.001).

Furthermore, binary logistic regression analysis showed that abnormal imaging findings (odds ratio (OR) = 6.47, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.11 - 19.77, P < 0.001) and elevated serum CRP levels (OR = 6.24, 95% CI: 2.16 - 18.03, P < 0.001) were significant factors predicting hospital admission, whereas elevated WBC count and presence of fever were not significant predictors.

AAP is a common problem in the ED, requires use of hospital resources and significantly contributes to health care cost [5], and patient evaluation can be challenging, because multiple diagnoses need to be considered in a limited time frame, and available information can be inconclusive. Because AAP can be due to a wide range of entities, including infection, mechanical obstruction, malignancy, cardiac problems and gastrointestinal ischemia [6], severity ranges from self-limited symptoms to true surgical emergencies [7]. Patients with AAP represent a diverse group, symptom presentation can differ in certain populations, such as in elderly or immunocompromised patients [8], and diagnosis can be unclear due to atypical history or physical findings. Yet, because the underlying pathology can be life threatening [9-11], physicians often rely on laboratory testing and radiologic imaging to expedite diagnosis [12] in order to initiate appropriate timely therapeutic intervention [13, 14].

Identification of warning “red flags” in the history and physical examination, together with appropriate imaging and laboratory studies may help detect patients with a serious underlying disease process [15, 16]. Although clinicians often withhold pain medication before a diagnosis is established, several studies have demonstrated that use of analgesics does not negatively influence diagnosis or treatment in the ED [15, 17]. In this manuscript, we present the results of a prospective study on patients assessed in the ED of the University Hospital of Patras with abdominal pain as main symptom in the period October 1 through November 30, 2015 and April 15 through May 31, 2016. These periods were selected in order to avoid high tourist seasons and attempt to capture a patient population that reflects the local population.

In accordance with international standards, patients were evaluated in the ED in order to reach a diagnosis, and received treatment aimed at providing pain relief and maintaining hemodynamic stability, as evidenced by adequate urine output and monitoring of vital signs.

Patient assessment was based on history of present illness, past medical, surgical and social history, together with careful clinical examination emphasizing specific physical signs related to underlying pathology of the abdominal cavity and relevant laboratory and radiologic diagnostic evaluation. Although the character and location of abdominal pain were not predictors of hospital admission in our study, specific clinical signs on the abdominal exam were crucial, as evidenced by the fact that 70% of patients with Murphy sign, 84.6% with McBurney sign and 88.9% of patients with rebound tenderness were admitted to the hospital. This fact underlies the importance of careful hands-on clinical examination as part of comprehensive patient evaluation in the ED.

Our study also showed that frequency of normal chest and abdominal X-rays was high both in patients admitted and not admitted to the hospital. Overall, only 33.3% of abdominal U/S and 6.7% of abdominal CAT scans were normal (revealing no pathology), and these findings are in agreement with earlier published data suggesting that abdominal X-rays have low yield for clinically useful information and are probably overused [18, 19]. U/S and CAT imaging in patients with certain history and clinical exam findings can probably help clinicians decide whether a patient with abdominal pain should be admitted to the hospital or not.

Limitations of our study include possible inter- and intra-examiner variability, the relatively small sample size, and absence of standardized criteria for admission to the hospital. However, we believe that this study is representative of current clinical practice patterns in this Mediterranean tertiary care academic center. Furthermore, we believe that our findings add useful insights regarding AAP, a problem commonly seen in the ED.

Evaluation of the patient who presents with abdominal pain in the ED remains one of the most important topics in acute medicine. Despite great diagnostic and therapeutic advances, including abdominal CAT, ultrasonography and laparoscopy, misdiagnosis has been reported [20] and it is important to emphasize that all diagnostic studies can have false negative findings. The decision to admit a patient to the hospital without a clear diagnosis or explanation for the pain is matter of debate, and several approaches are considered reasonable. The phrase “treat the patient, not the test” is still very appropriate for patients with AAP, and ongoing patient reassessment in the ED seems to be a reasonable option. Hospital discharge with clear instructions to the patient and family regarding possible onset of new symptoms or clinical deterioration is also acceptable. Limited financial resources can be the reason for limiting expensive diagnostic radiographic studies and expensive diagnostic laboratory tests, such as sepsis biomarkers.

Appropriate diagnostic evaluation and decision for or against hospitalization is a challenge in the patient who comes to the ED with AAP. Our data from this small prospective clinical trial suggest that increasing abdominal pain intensity, presence of Murphy or McBurney signs, abnormal radiologic findings and elevated CRP are potential predictors of the need for hospitalization. However, because all currently available diagnostic tests can give falsely negative findings, vigilance, together with detailed evaluation of all available data is needed in order to avoid overlooking potentially life-threatening causes of abdominal pain. Larger, well-designed prospective clinical trials are needed to better define predictive factors and establish accepted care paths for this challenging patient population.

Conflict of Interest

All authors state that they do not have any conflict of interest to report.

Author Contributions

DV wrote and edited the manuscript, MK contributed to study design, did statistical analysis, revised and finalized the manuscript, NP wrote the manuscript and did statistical analysis, GK collected data, VM collected data, KK collected data, EF collected data, CA collected data, CG supervised and edited the manuscript. All authors have read and approved the manuscript.

Grant Support

This work was supported solely by department funds.

Abbreviations

AAP: acute abdominal pain; CDC: Center for Disease Control; CI: confidence interval; CAT: computerized axial tomography; CRP: C-reactive protein; ED: emergency department; INR: international normalized ratio; LDH: lactate dehydrogenase; OR: odds ratio; PTT: partial thromboplastin time; SGOT: serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase; SGPT: serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase; WBC: white blood cell

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Journal of Clinical Medicine Research is published by Elmer Press Inc.