Factors associated with unfavorable outcomes in patients with acute abdominal pain visiting the emergency department

BACKGROUND: Unfavorable outcomes occur in patients with acute abdominal pain who visit the emergency department (ED). We aimed to determine the factors associated with unfavorable outcomes in patients with acute abdominal pain visiting the ED. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016. The inclusion criterion was patients aged older than 18 years who presented to the ED with acute abdominal pain. Significant factors associated with unfavorable outcomes were examined using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 951 patients were included in the study. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the ED length of stay (EDLOS) > 4 h (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.62, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.33–5.14; p = 0.005), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) < 80 mmHg (AOR 3.31, 95% CI: 1.71–6.4; p ≤ 0.001), respiratory rate ≥ 24 breaths/min (AOR 2.03, 95% CI: 1.07–3.86; p ≤ 0.031), right lower quadrant (RLQ) tenderness (AOR 3.72, 95% CI: 1.89–7.32; p ≤ 0.001), abdominal distension (AOR 2.91, 95% CI: 1.29–6.57; p = 0.010), hypoactive bowel sounds (AOR 2.89, 95% CI: 1.09–7.67; p = 0.033), presence of specific abdominal signs (AOR 2.07, 95% CI: 1.1–3.88; p = 0.024), white blood cell count ≥ 12,000 cells/mm(3) (AOR 2.37, 95% CI: 1.22–4.6; p = 0.011), and absolute neutrophil count (ANC) > 75% (AOR 2.83, 95% CI: 1.39–5.75; p = 0.004) were revealed as significant factors associated with unfavorable outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed that the significant clinical signs associated with the occurrence of unfavorable outcomes were DBP < 80 mmHg, tachypnea (≥ 24 breaths/min), RLQ tenderness, abdominal distension, hypoactive bowel sounds, and presence of specific abdominal signs. Moreover, the associated laboratory results identified in this study were leukocytosis and ANC > 75%. Additionally, patients with abdominal pain visiting the ED who had an EDLOS longer than 4 h were associated with unfavorable outcomes. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12873-022-00761-y.