Is Being Overweight a Risk Factor for Torsion of the Appendix Testis in Children?: A Paired Case-Control Study.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Urology
• Public Health

Background:

• Childhood overweight and obesity are increasing global health concerns.
• Torsion of the appendix testis (TAT) is a common cause of acute scrotum in children, often requiring surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between childhood overweight and the risk of surgically treated torsion of the appendix testis (TAT).

Main Methods:

• A paired case-control study was conducted comparing boys surgically treated for TAT with a control group.
• Weight percentile (WP) was calculated and analyzed for associations with TAT risk using conditional logistic regression.

Main Results:

• Patients surgically treated for TAT had significantly higher median weight percentiles compared to controls (79 vs. 49, P < 0.0001).
• Each point increase in weight percentile correlated with a 2.2% increased risk of TAT (OR, 1.022).
• A weight percentile above 75 was associated with a 3- to 6-fold increased risk of TAT compared to lower weight percentiles.

Conclusions:

• Overweight status in childhood is a significant risk factor for torsion of the appendix testis (TAT) requiring surgery.
• The rising prevalence of childhood obesity may lead to a future increase in TAT incidence.