title: External validation of Lintula score in Turkish acute appendicitis patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive accuracy of Lintula score in Turkish appendicitis patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from a total of 156 patients operated with the diagnosis of acute appendicitis were collected retrospectively. The Lintula score was constructed from nine variables (gender, intensity of pain, relocation of pain, pain in the right lower abdominal quadrant, vomiting, body temperature, guarding, bowel sounds and rebound tenderness) with independent diagnostic value in 156 patients. Lintula score was calculated for all patients. Pathological results of the resected specimen were determined and the diagnostic performance of the Lintula score was compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hoshmer-Lemeshow and ROC curve analysis was performed and area under the curve was 0.922. Predictive accuracy of Lintula score among Turkısh appendicitis patients was statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lintula score seems to be useful method to diagnose acute appendicitis among Turkish patients and may reduce the rate of negative appendectomy.
authors.affiliation: Ordu State Hospital, Durugöl mah. Ornekkent Sitesi, C Blok, 4/10 Ordu, Turkey. omeryoldas@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Omer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Yoldas
authors.forename: Turgut
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Karaca
authors.forename: Mesut
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tez
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001062:Appendectomy; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012372:ROC Curve; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014421:Turkey; D055815:Young Adult