Is long-term hunger (Ramadan model) a risk factor for acute appendicitis?

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Pathology
• Public Health

Background:

• Ramadan fasting involves significant changes in eating patterns, including prolonged periods of hunger and altered food/fluid intake.
• The potential impact of these dietary shifts on the incidence of acute surgical conditions, such as acute appendicitis, requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate whether long-term hunger and altered nutritional routines during Ramadan fasting are risk factors for the development of acute appendicitis.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study was conducted across two Turkish hospitals from 2004 to 2007.
• Data from 4288 patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis were analyzed, comparing cases during Ramadan fasting periods with those before and after.
• Patient demographics (age, gender) and appendicitis characteristics (perforated vs. non-perforated) were assessed.

Main Results:

• Out of 4288 acute appendicitis cases, 992 occurred during the study periods.
• The distribution of surgeries for acute appendicitis showed no significant difference: 37.1% before Ramadan, 32.1% during, and 30.8% after.
• No statistically significant differences were found in the frequency of perforated versus non-perforated acute appendicitis, age, age groups, or gender between the fasting and non-fasting periods (p>0.05).

Conclusions:

• Changes in nutritional routines and periods of long-term hunger during Ramadan fasting did not emerge as significant risk factors for acute appendicitis.
• The study suggests that Ramadan-related dietary modifications do not increase the incidence or severity of acute appendicitis.