Predictive value of inflammatory indices in acute cholecystitis: a retrospective study of gallstone detection and outcome assessment

This retrospective observational study investigates the predictive value of inflammatory indices Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Platelet Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) and Systemic Inflammatory Index (SII) for detecting gallstones and forecasting outcomes in patients with acute cholecystitis (AC). Conducted from 01 September 2022, to 01 September 2023, the research involved patients aged 18 and older diagnosed with AC in an emergency department, excluding those with overlapping pathologies or insufficient data. The study employed hemogram-based indices to explore their correlation with the presence of gallstones and the severity of AC, assessing outcomes such as hospitalization duration and the necessity for surgical intervention. Findings demonstrated that high NLR and SII values significantly correlated with severe outcomes and increased hospitalization rates, while SII exhibited the highest accuracy in predicting mortality. Moreover, the study uniquely identified the Systemic Inflammatory Response Index (SIRI) as a significant marker for gallstone presence. In conclusion, inflammatory indices like NLR, PLR and SII can be practical prognostic tools in managing AC, potentially guiding clinical decisions regarding immediate surgical needs and overall patient management. This suggests a broader application for these indices in emergency and surgical settings, improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment strategies.

Acute cholecystitis; Gallstones; Systemic inflammatory index; Systemic inflammatory response index; Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio; Platelet-lymphocyte ratio

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