Research Article

Comparison of Immature Granulocyte Values and C-Reactive Protein in Predicting Hospitalization Among Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department with Abdominal Pain

Volume: 16 Number: 1 March 15, 2026
TR EN

Comparison of Immature Granulocyte Values and C-Reactive Protein in Predicting Hospitalization Among Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department with Abdominal Pain

Abstract

Abstract Introducdion: Immature granulocyte count (IGc) and percentage (IG%) are emerging inflammatory markers, yet their early prognostic value in undifferentiated abdominal pain in the emergency department (ED) remains unclear. In this study we aimed to compare the predictive performance of IGc, IG%, and C-reactive protein (CRP) for hospitalization and surgical intervention. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study included adult ED patients presenting with abdominal pain. Predictive accuracy was assessed using ROC analysis with AUC values compared by the DeLong test. Independent predictors of hospitalization were identified using multivariable logistic regression adjusted for IG levels, CRP and key clinical variables. Results: A total of 526 patients were analyzed. Hospitalized patients had higher CRP, IG count, and IG% levels (all p<0.001). CRP showed the strongest predictive value for hospitalization (AUC=0.728), while IG count (AUC=0.673) and IG% (AUC=0.619) demonstrated limited performance. All markers were elevated in surgically treated patients but showed poor discriminatory ability. In multivariable analysis, CRP and IG count remained independent predictors of hospitalization, whereas IG% did not retain significance. Conclusion: Although the prognostic value of IG percentage remained limited, the absolute IG count appeared to be an independent risk factor when considered alongside CRP and clinical findings. However, none of the markers—IG%, IG count, or CRP—reliably identified patients requiring surgery, emphasizing the continued need for comprehensive clinical assessment and imaging in ED abdominal pain management.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Ankara Etlik City Hospital Clinical Research Ethics Committee (AEŞH-EK1-2023-356).

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Emergency Medicine

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

March 15, 2026

Submission Date

December 5, 2025

Acceptance Date

February 13, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 16 Number: 1

APA
Şafak, T., Erdem, A. B., Çıkrıkçı Işık, G., & Vahapoğlu Vural, N. (2026). Comparison of Immature Granulocyte Values and C-Reactive Protein in Predicting Hospitalization Among Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department with Abdominal Pain. Bozok Tıp Dergisi, 16(1), 135-147. https://doi.org/10.16919/bozoktip.1836596
AMA
1.Şafak T, Erdem AB, Çıkrıkçı Işık G, Vahapoğlu Vural N. Comparison of Immature Granulocyte Values and C-Reactive Protein in Predicting Hospitalization Among Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department with Abdominal Pain. Bozok Tıp Dergisi. 2026;16(1):135-147. doi:10.16919/bozoktip.1836596
Chicago
Şafak, Tuba, Ahmet Burak Erdem, Gülşah Çıkrıkçı Işık, and Nur Vahapoğlu Vural. 2026. “Comparison of Immature Granulocyte Values and C-Reactive Protein in Predicting Hospitalization Among Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department With Abdominal Pain”. Bozok Tıp Dergisi 16 (1): 135-47. https://doi.org/10.16919/bozoktip.1836596.
EndNote
Şafak T, Erdem AB, Çıkrıkçı Işık G, Vahapoğlu Vural N (March 1, 2026) Comparison of Immature Granulocyte Values and C-Reactive Protein in Predicting Hospitalization Among Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department with Abdominal Pain. Bozok Tıp Dergisi 16 1 135–147.
IEEE
[1]T. Şafak, A. B. Erdem, G. Çıkrıkçı Işık, and N. Vahapoğlu Vural, “Comparison of Immature Granulocyte Values and C-Reactive Protein in Predicting Hospitalization Among Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department with Abdominal Pain”, Bozok Tıp Dergisi, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 135–147, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.16919/bozoktip.1836596.
ISNAD
Şafak, Tuba - Erdem, Ahmet Burak - Çıkrıkçı Işık, Gülşah - Vahapoğlu Vural, Nur. “Comparison of Immature Granulocyte Values and C-Reactive Protein in Predicting Hospitalization Among Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department With Abdominal Pain”. Bozok Tıp Dergisi 16/1 (March 1, 2026): 135-147. https://doi.org/10.16919/bozoktip.1836596.
JAMA
1.Şafak T, Erdem AB, Çıkrıkçı Işık G, Vahapoğlu Vural N. Comparison of Immature Granulocyte Values and C-Reactive Protein in Predicting Hospitalization Among Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department with Abdominal Pain. Bozok Tıp Dergisi. 2026;16:135–147.
MLA
Şafak, Tuba, et al. “Comparison of Immature Granulocyte Values and C-Reactive Protein in Predicting Hospitalization Among Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department With Abdominal Pain”. Bozok Tıp Dergisi, vol. 16, no. 1, Mar. 2026, pp. 135-47, doi:10.16919/bozoktip.1836596.
Vancouver
1.Tuba Şafak, Ahmet Burak Erdem, Gülşah Çıkrıkçı Işık, Nur Vahapoğlu Vural. Comparison of Immature Granulocyte Values and C-Reactive Protein in Predicting Hospitalization Among Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department with Abdominal Pain. Bozok Tıp Dergisi. 2026 Mar. 1;16(1):135-47. doi:10.16919/bozoktip.1836596