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Is the incidence of acute appendicitis really falling?
N M Williams1, D Jackson, N W Everson
1Department of Surgery, Leicester Royal Infirmary.
Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
|June 12, 1998
Summary
The incidence of acute appendicitis significantly decreased in children and young adults between 1975-1994. This epidemiological study found a notable decline in appendicitis cases, though the reasons remain unclear.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Acute appendicitis is a common surgical emergency.
- Understanding trends in its incidence is crucial for healthcare planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the trend in acute appendicitis incidence among children and young adults over a 20-year period.
- To determine if observed changes are statistically significant.
Main Methods:
- Utilized historical datasets (Hospital Episode Statistics and Korner) from 1975-1994.
- Analyzed appendicectomy rates for acute appendicitis in pediatric and young adult populations.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant decrease in acute appendicitis incidence was observed, falling from 1.84 to 1.17 per 1000 individuals.
- The reduction was significant in both males (34% decrease) and females (40% decrease).
- No significant reduction was noted in the 15-19 year age group for either sex.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms a genuine and significant fall in acute appendicitis incidence in the studied demographic.
- The underlying causes for this decline are currently unexplained.
- Findings have potential implications for health service planning and resource allocation.