Characteristics of Patients Presented with Complicated Appendicitis in Adama, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Complicated appendicitis (CA) is defined as perforated appendicitis, peritonitis, peri-appendicular abscess, or appendicular mass. One-third of patients who develop appendicitis are diagnosed with CA at presentation. Studies regarding the prevalence of CA are lacking in low-income countries, and the characteristics of patients presented with CA are incoherently identified.

To assess the prevalence and the significant characteristics associated with CA among patients admitted with the diagnosis of acute appendicitis at Adama Hospital Medical College.

A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 1, 2018, up to December 31, 2019. From a total of 1043 patients during the study period, the charts of 431 patients were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected by a structured checklist. Bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were employed to assess the association of patients' characteristics with CA.

Out of 431 patients, 157 (36.4%) had CA. Characteristics of patients having a significant association with CA were found to be generalized abdominal tenderness (AOR: 27.48, 95% CI: 4.03, 187.24), diagnosis with peritonitis (AOR: 14.87, 95% CI: 4.05, 54.54), right lower quadrant (RLQ) abdominal mass (AOR: 7.79, 95% CI: 2.02, 29.99), shock (10.37, 95% CI: 3.18, 33.76), white blood cell (WBC) count >11,000 (AOR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.02, 4.61), onset to visit interval of 8-14 days (AOR: 10.45, 95% CI: 2.4, 45.52) and ultrasound report of acute appendicitis (AOR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.13, 0.85), appendiceal abscess (AOR: 5.05, 95% CI: 1.48, 17.31), and appendiceal mass (AOR: 6.04, 95% CI: 1.45, 25.14).

The prevalence of CA was very high. Generalized abdominal tenderness, RLQ abdominal mass, shock, WBC count, onset to visit interval, abdominopelvic ultrasound report, and clinical diagnosis of peritonitis were significantly associated with CA.