Objective:

to compare the efficacy of the RIPASA scale in adults with suspected acute appendicitis, with and without prior treatment with nonsteroidal analgesics, and to establish whether there is a change in their score due to prior medication.

Material and methods:

80 patients between 18-65 years old were included. A suspected acute appendicitis treated at the Nuevo Sanatorio Durango was evaluated using the RIPASA scale; they were assigned to two groups according to the history of previous treatment or not with non-steroidal analgesics.

Results:

in 82.5% of the cases, the diagnosis of acute appendicitis was confirmed. In the group with premedication, acute appendicitis was ruled out in 27.5% vs 7.5% of patients without medication. Acute appendicitis had a higher prevalence (92.5%) in the group without NSAIDs vs 72.5% in the medicated group p ≤ 0.019. Nausea/vomiting, migration of pain, and anorexia presented statistically significant differences between both groups, being more prevalent for those with pharmacological therapy p ≤ 0.05.

Conclusions:

premedication with NSAIDs alters the RIPASA scale score in patients with suspected acute appendicitis.