| Intervention arm (n = 80) | Usual care arm (n = 80) | P value |
---|---|---|---|
Gender (%) | Â | Â | 0.101 |
 Male | 24 (30.0) | 35 (43.8) |  |
 Female | 56 (70.0) | 45 (56.3) |  |
Ethnic group | Â | Â | 0.099 |
 Chinese | 35 (43.8) | 43 (53.8) |  |
 Malay | 17 (21.3) | 23 (28.8) |  |
 Indian | 15 (18.8) | 9 (11.3) |  |
 Others | 13 (16.3) | 5 (6.3) |  |
Mean age ± SD | 38.2 ± 13.7 | 38.7 ± 12.8 | 0.830 |
ASA score | Â | Â | 0.888 |
 ASA 1—Normal healthy patient | 32 (40.0) | 35 (43.8) |  |
 ASA 2—Mild systemic disease | 45 (56.3) | 42 (52.5) |  |
 ASA 3—Severe systemic disease | 3 (3.8) | 3 (3.8) |  |
White cell count, × 109/L, mean (SD) | 11.8 ± 3.8 | 12.4 ± 4.9 | 0.350 |
Duration of symptoms (days) | 2.7 ± 2.3 | 2.6 ± 1.7 | 0.788 |
Alvarado Score Distribution | Â | Â | 0.041 |
 1 | 0 (0.0) | 1 (1.3) |  |
 2 | 1 (1.3) | 2 (2.5) |  |
 3 | 2 (2.5) | 9 (11.3) |  |
 4 | 15 (18.8) | 14 (17.5) |  |
 5 | 24 (30.0) | 11 (13.8) |  |
 6 | 15 (18.8) | 16 (20.0) |  |
 7 | 15 (18.8) | 11 (13.8) |  |
 8 | 8 (10.0) | 12 (15.0) |  |
 9 | 0 (0.0) | 4 (5.0) |  |
 10 | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) |  |
Surgery performed | 32 (40.0) | 30 (37.5) | 0.871 |
Types of surgery performed | Â | Â | 0.468 |
 Open appendectomy | 2 (2.5) | 0 (0.0) |  |
 Laparoscopic appendectomy | 25 (31.3) | 22 (27.5) |  |
 Diagnostic laparoscopy | 4 (5.0) | 5 (6.3) |  |
 Others | 1 (1.3) | 3 (3.8) |  |