Diabetes as a Risk Factor for Perforated Appendicitis: A National Analysis

Area of Science:

• Medical research
• Surgical outcomes
• Diabetes complications

Background:

• Acute appendicitis is a common surgical emergency.
• Perforation is a serious complication of appendicitis.
• The role of diabetes as a risk factor for appendicitis perforation is not well-established in the U.S.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between diabetes and perforation in acute appendicitis.
• To examine the impact of diabetes on outcomes and complications following appendicitis.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of adult patients with acute appendicitis (under 65) from the National Inpatient Sample (2012-2014).
• Comparison of baseline variables between diabetic and non-diabetic patients using Rao-Scott chi square and student's t-test.
• Propensity score matching and conditional logistic regression to assess differences in perforation rates, outcomes, and complications.

Main Results:

• Approximately 7% of acute appendicitis patients had diabetes.
• Diabetic patients had a higher likelihood of appendicitis perforation (OR 1.093).
• Diabetics experienced longer hospital stays, more open appendectomies, and increased postoperative cardiovascular complications.

Conclusions:

• Diabetes is associated with increased perforation rates in acute appendicitis.
• Diabetic patients with appendicitis require longer hospital stays and have more complications.
• Diabetes should be considered in the risk assessment for appendicitis perforation.