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Acute abdominal pain in adults
P Miettinen1, P Pasanen, J Lahtinen
1Department of Surgery, University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.
Annales Chirurgiae Et Gynaecologiae
|January 1, 1996
Summary
A third of acute abdomen cases lack a specific cause, with non-specific abdominal pain being most common. Age and gender influence diagnosis, and nearly half of patients require surgery.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- General Surgery
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Acute abdomen is a common clinical presentation requiring prompt diagnosis and management.
- Understanding the demographic and etiological characteristics of acute abdomen is crucial for healthcare planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiological and etiological features of adult patients presenting with acute abdomen.
- To identify common causes, demographic variations, and treatment outcomes in acute abdomen cases.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational study involving 639 adult patients admitted to a Finnish university hospital.
- Data collection included patient demographics, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Non-specific abdominal pain (33.0%), acute appendicitis (23.3%), and acute biliary disease (8.8%) were the most frequent diagnoses.
- Age and gender significantly influenced the prevalence of specific conditions, with variations noted across different diagnoses.
- 43% of patients underwent surgery, and the overall mortality rate was low (1.9%), with malignancy being the leading cause of death.
Conclusions:
- A substantial proportion of acute abdomen cases remain undiagnosed, highlighting diagnostic challenges.
- Age and gender are critical factors in determining the likely cause of acute abdomen.
- Surgical intervention is frequently required, and the condition generally has a low mortality rate.