Diagnostic Biomarkers Improve Outcomes in Bowel Obstruction

Routine hematological biomarkers enhance diagnosis and surgical decision-making in bowel obstruction.

  • C-reactive protein (CRP) at >26.91 mg/L shows 80% sensitivity and 92% specificity for bowel ischemia (AUC: 0.91).
  • Procalcitonin (PCT) >0.12 ng/ml can help determine surgical need, with sensitivity 75% and specificity 74% (AUC: 0.79).

Using these markers may refine patient selection and improve surgical outcomes by early detection of complications.

  • Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) >7.2 achieves 74% sensitivity and 83% specificity (AUC: 0.84).
  • D-dimer (1.72 mg/L) and lactate (2.98 mmol/L) show 83% and 77% sensitivities, respectively, aiding ischemia diagnosis.

Review by Hu H, Chen G (…) Tian Y et 7 al. in World J Emerg Surg

© 2025. The Author(s).

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