Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 14, 2025
Murine Appendectomy Model of Chronic Colitis Associated Colorectal Cancer by Precise Localization of Caecal Patch
Published on: August 24, 2019
Appendectomy Is Not Associated With a Milder Clinical Course of Ulcerative Colitis: A Nationwide Danish
Anders Mark-Christensen1,2, Eskild Bendix Kristiansen1, Søren Laurberg3
1Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
Background:
Appendectomy may have a beneficial effect on the course of ulcerative colitis (UC), but the association remains debated.
Aim:
To examine if appendectomy influences the clinical course of UC.
Methods:
We identified all patients diagnosed with UC in Denmark from 1977 to 2017 from the Danish National Patient Registry. Patients who underwent appendectomy were matched for age, sex, calendar year and disease duration with up to 10 comparators with UC and no appendectomy. We compared UC-related admission rates, rates of initiating treatment with biologics, and colorectal resection rates between patients with UC with and without appendectomy.
Results:
22,098 patients with UC (2014 with and 20,084 without appendectomy) were followed for a median 10.3 years (interquartile range: 5.1-18.5). Hospitalisation rates were higher for those who underwent appendectomy of a normal appendix after UC (IRR = 1.11 (95% CI: 1.01-1.22)) and for those who underwent appendectomy for appendicitis before UC (IRR = 1.22 (95% CI: 1.15-1.31)). Appendectomy performed for appendicitis after UC was associated with a higher rate of colorectal resections 5-20 years after appendectomy (aHR5-10 years = 2.08 (95% CI: 1.03-4.17)), aHR10-20 years = 3.25 (95% CI: 1.31-8.08) and 5-10 years after appendectomy if not performed for appendicitis (aHR = 2.51 (1.01-6.23)). Rates of initiating treatment with biologics were comparable between patients with and without prior appendectomy.
Conclusion:
Patients with UC who underwent appendectomy did not experience a milder clinical course compared to those without appendectomy, regardless of underlying appendicitis.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Appendicitis-II: Diagnostic Studies and Management
Diagnosing Appendicitis
It requires a multifaceted approach, starting with a detailed physical examination to pinpoint the location and nature of the pain and identify any associated symptoms. Laboratory tests play a crucial role. A complete Blood Count (CBC) typically reveals leukocytosis (an increased number of...
01:22Appendicitis-I: Introduction
Etiology: Appendicitis can arise from various causes, primarily rooted in the obstruction of the appendix lumen. Factors contributing to this obstruction include fecal accumulation, lymphoid hyperplasia and, in...
01:27Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
01:21Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management
Here are some common surgical interventions for IBD:
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
01:29Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD