The role of biomarkers in predicting perforated cholecystitis cases: Can the c-reactive protein albumin ratio be a guide?

Background: Gallbladder perforation (GBP) is a rare but life-threatening complication of acute cholecystitis. Despite advancements in imaging technology and biochemical analysis, perforations are still diagnosed intraoperatively in some cases. This situation has revealed the need for new markers in the diagnosis of perforation. In this study, we aimed to analyze the role of biomarkers in the diagnosis of perforated cholecystitis cases.

Methods: In this retrospective study, blood samples (white blood cells (WBC), hemoglobin, platelet count, C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, CRP/albumin ratio (CAR), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), urea, creatinine, glucose, amylase, lipase, aspartate ami-notransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), total bilirubin, direct bilirubin) were analyzed in patients who were diagnosed with acute cholecystitis in the emergency department.

Results: One hundred seventy patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of gallbladder perforation. Sixty-three (37.1%) patients had perforation. Transition from laparoscopy to open operation, intensive care unit admission, length of hospital stay, and mortality were higher in the perforated group compared to the non-perforated group. When we analyzed the patients according to laboratory findings, there was a difference in WBC, NLR, CRP, albumin, and CAR parameters in the perforation group. In regression analysis, CRP and CAR performed better.

Conclusion: Our study showed that CRP and CAR may be diagnostic biomarkers with low specificity and sensitivity in predicting GBP in patients with acute cholecystitis. This marker is a low-cost and easily accessible parameter that may help clinicians make an early diagnosis and plan appropriate treatment for this condition with high morbidity and mortality.