Table 1 Clinical and para-clinical characterisitics of diffuse community acquired peritonitis in Limbe and Buea Regioanl Hospitals

Abdominal pain

305

100

Nausea/vomiting

128

42

Diarrhea/constipation

214

70.1

Fever or hypothermia

253

83

Tachycardia

219

71.8

Tachypnoea

133

43.6

Abdominal distention

198

64.7

Signs of peritoneal irritation

277

90.8

Signs of shock

138

45.1

Leucocyte count >12.000

138/196

80.4

Leucocyte count < 4000

32/196

16.3

Pneumoperitoneum

86/231

37.22

Air fluid levels

82/231

35.5

Suggestive ultrasound findings

156/238

96.9