Oxford researchers win Ig Nobel prize

The prize winning research, led by Oxfordshire GP and clinical researcher Helen Ashdown from the University of Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, demonstrates the value of questioning patients about pain while travelling over speed bumps to rule out those who do not need their appendix removed (appendectomy).

'Diagnosing appendicitis can sometimes be a real challenge for doctors, and even though several different clinical tests exist, appendicitis can only be fully confirmed by histological examination following surgery,' said Helen Ashdown. 'Any tests that can help work out who might need an operation versus those who can safely be discharged home are beneficial.'

In a study of 101 patients referred to Stoke Mandeville Hospital for possible appendicitis, the researchers asked a series of questions about their journey to hospital to find out if they had travelled over a speed bump and whether they experienced increased pain while doing so. Of the 64 patients who had travelled over speed bumps, 54 reported increased pain (they were designated speed bump positive).

97 per cent of the 34 patients who had been positively diagnosed with appendicitis were found to be speed bump positive. However, 21 patients who had not been diagnosed with appendicitis were also speed bump positive. One patient reporting no pain while travelling over a speed bump was given a positive diagnosis of appendicitis.

The study was published in the British Medical Journal in 2012.

'We found that while the speed bump test is highly sensitive to correctly diagnosing appendicitis, speed bump pain is not very specific to appendicitis alone and was sometimes associated with other abdominal problems like an ovarian cyst or, in most cases, no serious problem at all – so the speed bump test is a poor rule-in test for appendicitis.'

'What’s exciting about these results is that they show us quite conclusively that the speed bump test can be used as a strong rule-out test for appendicitis, so it’s highly unlikely for a patient reporting no pain while travelling over a speed bump to then receive a positive diagnosis for the condition.  In fact, in our study the speed bump test was better at ruling out appendicitis than several other commonly used clinical test currently available.'

Given how this test can help identify those who don’t have appendicitis, the researchers recommend that the speed bump test is incorporated into routine assessment for possible appendicitis to rule out the condition alongside other clinical features.

Commenting on the award on behalf of the team, Helen said:

'We’re really thrilled to have been awarded an Ig Nobel prize for our research. It came completely out of the blue – but as well as providing evidence which will contribute to day-to-day clinical practice, this study was intended to be a fun piece of science so it’s wonderful for it to have been recognised in this way.'

In their acceptance speech at the 25th First Annual Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony at Harvard University, the research team performed a parodied appendicitis consultation, reading out the following poem:

Academic:

Dear Sir, this is our proudest day
But first of all we'd like to say
We'd never have achieved this perk
Without the other authors' work
And so that no-one else is missed,
We've brought along a thank you list
Our mums and dads, let's not forget,
I hope you're watching on the net
And all our cats and Aunty Jane…

Patient:
Dear god, I've got this awful pain!
I feel like I'm about to die
Farewell, cruel world, I bid you all goodbye

Relative:
Hey Docs, you fools!  Don't hang about
Get over here and help us out!
Just what the hell is wrong with him?
Please tell us, is the outlook grim?
A heart attack?  A brain disease?
Or just a case of dodgy knees? Appendicitis, could it be?

Surgeon:
It could be that, now let me see?

Radiologist:

But how?!  We have no CT scan,
Or Ultrasound, or X-ray man 

Academic:

Just read our paper, then you'll know
That speed bumps are the way to show!
Just drive him quickly up a hump
You know, the pain will make him jump
Appendix cases that we sent
Were sensitive at 97 percent
It really is the simplest test
Though specifity's not the best